AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Millwall: Murray Wallace's early strike enough

Murray Wallace proved to be Millwall’s unlikely FA Cup goal hero yet again - this time with an early goal to end the giant killing exploits of AFC Wimbledon.

Full-back Wallace, who popped up in stoppage time to score the winner against Everton in the Fourth Round, struck in the fifth minute at Kingsmeadow.

Millwall defended the lead to take their place in the draw for the quarter-finals for the fourth time in 15 years.

Ryan Leonard picked up the ball and crossed from the right flank and Murray Wallace arrived to meet it with a powerful header. It was a first goal for Neil Harris’s team since they beat Everton last month.

Wimbledon maybe bottom of League One but, having beaten West Ham of the Premier League to reach the Fifth Round of the FA Cup for the first time since the rebirth of the club they would not about to roll over and make it easy for their visitors from the Championship.

Millwall survived an early scare when Shane McLoughlin’s low cross was volleyed against the frame of the goal by striker Joe Pigott, sliding in at the near post, in the opening seconds of the tie and they refused to be discouraged by the early setback, responding with long spells of possession in the first half although they did not test goalkeeper Jordan Archer.

Michael Folivi was allowed to turn and dribble into the Millwall penalty area but sliced his shot wide and captain Deji Oshilaja headed over from Toby Sibbick, who caused problems with his pace, going forward on the right. Another cross from Sibbick swerved and almost caught out Archer who scrambled back towards his goal and pushed it to safety at the expense of a corner.

The home team emerged for the second half in similar mood, on the attack, tempo high, forcing Millwall to defend. Downes sent on Andy Barcham to replace Tyler Garratt at the interval and he quickly made an impression on the left.

Sibbick cut inside from the right fired over from the edge of the penalty area and Folivi forced a save from Archer. Wimbledon fans thought they had a penalty when Barcham tumbled in the box and referee Jon Moss blew his whistle, but the officials had spotted an offside.

Wimbledon’s growing sense of adventure left them vulnerable on the counter attack and Aaron Ramsdale made a fine save from Aiden O’Brien to keep them in the game. O’Brien, unmarked in front of goal and found by Lee Gregory, ought to have done better with the chance.

Millwall slowly took control and dominated the final half-hour, creating enough chances to have made the scoreline quite comfortable.

Centre-half Jake Cooper went close from set-pieces. First when teed-up by Lee Gregory knocked down a free-kick, Cooper side-footed narrowly wide from the edge of the area and was then unable to turn a header on target at the back-post from a cross by Murray Wallace.

Ramsdale saved twice from Shaun Williams and again from Jed Wallace as the visitors started to make their quality count.

A terrific recovery tackle by Barcham denied Gregory on the break.

Wimbledon summoned a late flurry but the closest they came to an equaliser was a half-volley by Anthony Wordsworth which flashed over.

Millwall go on. Wimbledon return to their relegation battle with a trip to Rochdale on Tuesday.