Davies swoop leaves Lions to a share

Yesterday was supposed to be about two old friends reunited – Mark McGhee and the best man at his wedding 23 years ago, Gordon Strachan – but for 89 minutes the game was hijacked by an old face. Steve Claridge may not be receiving the same plaudits as Southampton's James Beattie, but the ageing dog showed the young pup a thing or two about scoring.

"Claridge for England," sang the Millwall supporters, although even this perfect all-round display is unlikely to prompt Sven Goran Eriksson to make the call.

The only disappointment for Claridge is that his goal was not quite enough to take his side through. Indeed, with only seconds remaining, the second-half substitute Kevin Davies popped up to score the Southampton equaliser. The irony of the situation was lost on no one, as Davies had spent three months on loan at the New Den earlier in the season. "Kevin has been working hard," Strachan explained, "so he deserves his luck."

It is one of the strange quirks of fate that, in all their years as players and managers, Strachan and McGhee had never been on opposite sides before yesterday. Looking at them during the match, you could not help but wonder whether they were not in the wrong dugouts. Strachan, the wild and excitable character coaching the Premiership aristocrats Southampton; McGhee, the quiet and respectful leader of one of the traditionally more volatile clubs, Millwall. In fairness, though, the roles were reversed on the field, too, as the visitors looked like the top-flight team for long periods.

"Tactically, we got it right," McGhee said, "and we fully deserved at least a draw. Some people will say our best chance is gone, but I think it's Southampton who have missed their opportunity."

Strachan concurred with his friend's views: "I'm very relieved to still be in the Cup," he said. "Millwall played well, but we weren't quite at our best either."

One man who played his socks off (almost quite literally) was Claridge. Southampton had dominated the early exchanges when, with nine minutes on the clock, Millwall suddenly sprung into action, as Paul Ifill broke from midfield, rounded the goalkeeper, and, though he was pushed wide by Antti Niemi, looked odds-on to score until Claridge decided to take over. The ageing striker's effort was on target, although not quite powerful enough to prevent a fellow veteran, Francis Benali, from clearing off the line.

Southampton had been warned, but lost their concentration again on 15 minutes, when Steven Reid's free-kick was knocked down inside the six-yard box by Paul Robinson and converted by the evergreen Claridge. "I gave Steve the No 36 shirt to match his age," McGhee said, "and, on this evidence, I will be giving him the No 37 come August."

Southampton did have a good chance of an equaliser on 30 minutes, but neither of the Svenssons, Anders or Michael, could beat the combination of post, keeper and centre-back during a frantic mêlée around the goalmouth.

Southampton were clearly given a talking-to because they emerged after the interval far more hungry and determined. Fabrice Fernandes, whose excellence this season has led to interest from Liverpool, finally started to weave some magic down the right. And it was his crisp pass to Brett Ormerod that almost led to the equaliser, as the striker turned well inside the area before seeing his left-foot strike saved by Tony Warner.

Millwall, though, refused to be bullied. Try as Southampton might, the visitors were determined to stand firm. With Dennis Wise breaking up any Southampton forays from the centre of the park, and Reid providing the link between midfield and attack, Millwall often looked the more dangerous. Twice Reid might have extended the London side's lead with stinging free-kicks, but twice he saw his goal-bound efforts repelled by Niemi. Ifill then did well to wiggle into the area, but his shot was again blocked by the keeper. From the throw-out, substitute Jo Tessem was sent clear by Anders Svensson, but he shot straight at Warner.

The longer the match wore on, the more ragged and disjointed Southampton became, as the total football played against Tottenham in the last round was replaced by total panic. But the Saints are made of stern stuff these days, and Davies's late, late equaliser meant that the fans left satisfied, while the manager was able to go out to dinner knowing that he would be sharing the bill with Mr McGhee.