Leeds suffer play-off setback at Millwall

Fallen giants Leeds United suffered a setback in their bid to climb out of English football’s third tier after losing 1-0 at Millwall in Saturday’s play-off semi-final first leg.

Eight years after reaching the Champions League semi-finals, Leeds – three-times champions of England – are trying to restore their former glories by climbing out of League One.

But Simon Grayson’s club, who finished fourth in League One, will have to do it the hard way following a lacklustre display at Millwall’s New Den.

The only goal arrived in the 71st minute when Neil Harris, Millwall’s record goalscorer, capitalised on a missed clearance by Richard Naylor to convert Gary Alexander’s cross.

Harris’s goal was enough for the 2004 FA Cup finalists to claim their first play-off victory in nine attempts, but Leeds, who have won their last 11 home matches, will still believe they can overturn the deficit at Elland Road in the second leg on Thursday.