Soccer: Dublin hands Millwall a lifeline

Dion Dublin stunned Birmingham with a vital strike for Millwall in the first leg of the First Division play-off semi-final.

Birmingham had taken the lead through Bryan Hughes, but they must now feel uncomfortable about going to the New Den for the return leg.

Birmingham 1-1 Millwall

Birmingham had started the game brightly and Tommy Mooney saw his shot from the edge of the area go narrowly wide.

Damien Johnson was seeing plenty of the ball in the opening stages and delivered a good cross, only for Stern John to head wide.

Millwall were looking dangerous from set pieces and Tim Cahill got away from his marker when Steven Reid floated in a free-kick, only for his header to drift wide.

Millwall should have taken the lead in the 52nd minute when Neil Harris released Cahill in front of the posts.

However, he made a complete hash of his shot and Martin Grainger was able to bundle it away for a corner.

Birmingham made the breakthrough in the 56 minute when Bryan Hughes smashed home a delightful chip from Grainger.

That goal left Millwall stunned after a spell of pressure that could have seen them score three times.

Grainger almost had the crowd celebrating again when he rattled in a 25-yard free-kick only to see it nestle in the side netting.

Johnson rattled a 20-yard shot over the bar following a corner from Grainger as Birmingham pressed forward again.

Steve Claridge was then brought on for Harris after 75 minutes and Millwall equalised six minutes later.

Reid delivered a cross from the left and Dublin powered a header beyond Vaesen.