MILLWALL mounted a second-half comeback to draw 2-2 with Lincoln City at The Den.

The Lions were down two goals after a dismal first half, but fought back after the interval to draw level after Kyrell Lisbie scored his first goal for Millwall and Jake Cooper bundled in a set-piece from close range.

Deji Elerewe was then sent off in the final ten minutes as Millwall pushed for a late winner, but were frustrated by a well-organised defence and had to settle for a draw.

The Lions needed a response after a frustrating 1-0 loss to Swansea in the midweek, and came away with credit after the fightback, although there are questions to be asked about their first-half performance.

They now have a clean week of training before travelling to Fratton Park next Saturday.

After a rousing rendition of Let ‘Em Come, the crowd were quickly quieted as Lincoln took a shock lead within 30 seconds. They pumped the ball into Millwall’s box straight from the kick-off, and Andrei Coubis seized on a loose ball, volleying it in off the far post from well outside the box.

From then on, the half settled into a predictable pattern. Millwall had the lion’s share of possession and territory, but were ineffective in the final third, winning a string of set-pieces that amounted to little.

A long throw did yield one of the Lions’ few chances of the half, with Dykes’ throw bouncing to Lisbie at the back post, who swivelled and fired wide from a tight angle.

The following 20 minutes were a stilted affair, with neither side registering a shot between the seventh and 31st minute.

Eventually the Imps, whose transition threat always lurked ominously in the background, eventually strung together a dangerous counter-attack. Zak Sturge misplaced a pass, and they surged down the right wing, with Camiel Neghli putting in a goal-saving block to deny Freddie Draper.

Lincoln controversially recycled the ball, relying on a handball to keep possession, before working it to Rob Street, who rifled it through Filip Marschall’s legs and into the bottom corner.

Millwall desperately tried to pull one before the interval: Neghli sliced one wide from outside the box, Lisbie headed the ball straight at George Wickens from six yards out, and Mark Sykes cannoned an effort into Lyndon Dykes’ ankles from close range, but it all came to nought.

Neil opted to freshen it up at the break, bringing on Luke Cundle for Sykes and Max Crocombe on for Marschall, who had collided painfully with the post earlier in the match.

With Cundle on the pitch, Millwall looked to build up from the back more often, which soon got them into trouble. Lincoln won the ball high up the pitch, and Cooper made a vital challenge to deny Dom Jeffries.

Lincoln then should have added a third, with Freddier Draper and Draper both hitting the post in the span of five seconds.

Millwall came up the other way, and Lisbie nearly burst through, but was denied by a last-ditch challenge.

That was the start of a good spell of possession for the Lions, who were mounting increasing pressure on the visitors, despite growing frustration in the stands.

Lincoln still had the occasional chance, with Reeco Hackett bursting into the box and floating a shot wide of the far post.

The Lions started to finally threaten Wickens’ goal on the hour mark. Mazou-Sacko curled a cross in that Dykes flicked onto Cundle, who forced a save with an awkward header.

Two minutes later, Millwall were back in it. Neghli’s cross bounced into the area, and after his first effort was blocked, Lisbie smashed it underneath Wickens. Lisbie had clearly been desperate to get off the mark and celebrated very vigorously.

The Lions switched off straight from the restart, and Lincoln nearly regained a two-goal lead. Draper thumped an effort goalwards that Crocombe deflected into Hackett’s path, but the forward slipped as he went to bury it into the open goal.

Neil introduced Romain Esse on for his first appearance since he injured his ankle a month ago at Blackburn, and he nearly made a decisive contribution. His cross was deflected into Lisbie’s path in the box, but Wickens came out quickly to deny the winger a brace.

Millwall continued to press and finally got their equaliser from their first successful set-piece of the match. Esse whipped the ball in, and after it bounced around the box, Cooper poked it in from close range.

The late drama continued a minute later. Esse played an outrageous ball with the outside of his foot that was going to put Zak Lovelace in one-on-one with the keeper, but the striker was dragged down by Deji Elerewe. Esse put the resultant free kick into the wall, and Cooper’s follow-up was blocked.

Millwall huffed and puffed as they looked for a late winner, but were stymied by the resolute ten men of Lincoln, who had held West Ham scoreless for 22 minutes with only nine men last Tuesday.

Esse blazed a shot wide, and Dykes had a volley blocked, but Millwall did not come close to scoring, and the points were shared.

Millwall: 4-2-3-1 – Marschall (Crocombe 46); Crama (Leonard 73), Cooper, Taylor, Sturge; Metcalfe (Esse 73), Mazou-Sacko; Sykes (Cundle 46), Neghli, Lisbie (Lovelace 80); Dykes

Unused substitutes: Osei-Tutu, Baggott, Kelly, Doughty

Lincoln City: 3-4-2-1 – Wickens; Elerewe, Bradley, Coubis; Jeffries (Elder 80), Varfolomeev, Konak, Reach (Towler 80); Hackett (Oyegoke 66), Street; Draper (Ladefoged 92)

Unused substitutes: Gauci, Bayliss, Olaofe, Honham, Ogbene

Referee: Reubyn Ricardo