Hull City and Millwall played out a goalless draw in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final, remaining a close contest.
A nearly uneventful matchup at MKM Stadium on Friday night appeared to be settled by Ryan Leonard late, only for a foul in the build-up to have his shot canceled.
This brings us all to leg two, The Den.
Will a “draconian” cancellation goal be decisive?
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Ryan Leonard’s goal was canceled due to a foul on Charlie Hughes by Tristan Klama
In fact, the only story of the first leg was a canceled second-half goal when Leonard put the ball in the back of the net, but just before the ball reached the scorer, Tristan Klama was sent off for a foul on Charlie Hughes for a choke.
Referee Gavin Ward decisively blew his whistle, indicating that he believed Hughes had been unfairly prevented from trying to reach the ball.
“It was really soft,” Millwall manager Alex Neil told Sky Sports. “It will be interesting to hear (the referee) look back on the game and see what he thinks because they were both in the game.
“I understand why he considered it (a foul), but it’s difficult when both players are involved.
“To be fair, he let go a lot throughout the game, so it wasn’t really stop-start. I’m sure he’ll think it’s a foul, but it’ll be interesting to hear his opinion.”
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Millwall head coach Alex Neil and Hull head coach Sergej Djakilovic reacted to Ryan Leonard’s canceled goal.
In the other dugout, Hull manager Sergei Yakilovich believed the right decision had been made.
“It was a clear foul,” he told Sky Sports. “There was a lot of pulling and pushing, so according to the rules it was a foul.
“If you’re spinning a player, pulling him with your hands, pushing him, it’s a foul. We know these situations are always tough in the championship, but we’re used to it and we’re making progress.”
“It’s a big moment, it looks like there’s a little bit of mutuality between Kurama and Hughes, it’s a big decision,” manager Don Goodman said on Sky Sports Football.
“Millwall might think that’s a bit tough, but it’s the final poaching from Clamma that seems decisive.”
First leg stalemate, chances favor both sides
Sky Sports EFL Editor Simeon Gollum:
Most of the time, it feels like the situation won out. Nerves were mixed and nerves prevailed on both sides, and little happened at MKM Stadium on Friday night.
But it leaves a tie on the knife blade. Hull may not be completely dissatisfied as you might be feeling, despite their goalless draw at home.
Both teams have looked sharper on the road this season, and both have won on the road in the regular season.
At the very least, a dramatic result is guaranteed on Monday night.
