Dowie positive in debut defeat

Iain Dowie made a disappointing start to his reign as Crystal Palace boss as Neil Harris struck against the run of play to give Millwall the points.

In a high-tempo game, the hosts made all the running and, having been denied three times by the woodwork, could count themselves unlucky not to come away with at least a draw.

But in the end they were made to pay for missed opportunities as a string of chances and even a first-half penalty went begging.

Palace made just one change from the starting line-up that claimed victory against Reading last weekend.

Kit Symons relinquished his role as caretaker-manager to make way for Dowie but the new boss immediately showed his thanks by restoring the Welshman to the heart of the defence.

Kevin Muscat served the second game of a two-match ban for Millwall while Nick Chadwick again started in attack.

The Lions began positively and with just five minutes gone player-boss Dennis Wise hit a stinging 25-yarder that flashed past the post.

But gradually, Palace upped the pace. After 10 minutes Symons was unlucky not to mark his return with a goal when his downward header was blocked by Matthew Lawrence.

Then Michael Hughes burst purposefully from midfield before testing Tony Warner.

Palace seemed to be in charge and soon after Wayne Routledge charged beyond the last defender only to be hauled back by the offside flag.

But against the run of play the visitors took the lead after 17 minutes.

The Palace defence were caught napping as Tim Cahill jinked down the right and when he cut the ball back into the box, Harris stole in to fire home.

Having been breached, the home side responded instantly and just two minutes later they had the chance to draw level.

Andy Johnson's powerful surge took him into the box but his run on goal was crudely halted by Warner.

The goalkeeper was somewhat fortunate to receive only a yellow card but from the resulting spot-kick he atoned for his misjudgement as he dived to turn Johnson's shot round the post.

Despite that missed chance, Palace refused to let up and midway through the half Symons was again denied when his header thundered off the woodwork.

For all their endeavour, however, the hosts could not find an equaliser before the interval.

Undeservedly behind, Palace picked up where they had left off at the start of the second half as Neil Shipperley forced Warner to tip his looping header over the crossbar.

Then, with the goalkeeper beaten, Palace were unlucky again as Routledge's header cannoned back off the woodwork.

The home side were dominating in every area of the pitch and after 70 minutes Shipperley glanced another header inches wide before Johnson's spectacular overhead kick grazed the post.

But even with the introduction of Dougie Freedman as a third striker Palace could not find the equaliser and deep into injury-time they were thwarted by the woodwork again as Johnson's six-yarder slammed against the frame of the goal.

Goal: Harris (18) 0-1.

Crystal Palace (4-4-2): Myhre; Butterfield, Symons, Popovic, Borrowdale (Freedman, 84); Routledge, Riihilahti (Black, 75), Hughes, Gray; Johnson, Shipperley. Substitutes not used: Berthelin (gk), Fleming, Derry.

Millwall (4-4-2): Warner; Roberts, Lawrence, Ward, Livermore; Sweeney (Fofana, 68), Elliott, Wise, Chadwick (Peeters, 77); Harris (Braniff, 60), Cahill. Substitutes not used: Gueret (gk), Nethercott.

Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire).

Bookings: Millwall: Warner, Elliott, Sweeney.

Man of the match: Warner.

Attendance: 19,737.