MILLWALL slid to their first defeat of the season - but
manager John Docherty still drew plenty of encouragement
from this bright, attacking display.

"It was our best performance of the season, and if we can
sustain at level of commitment and discipline we will win
more games than we will lose away from home",
enthused Docherty.

We looked well in command and we created plenty of
chances, but Leicester can think themselves lucky that their
keeper Ian Andrews was in such tremendous form, he
made two brilliant saves."

Certainly Millwall 's attacking stance helped create a fast
flowing, entertaining game and earned the Lions a standing
ovation from their large contingent of traveling supporters.

That the failed to reap any reward was chiefly down to
Leicester's record signing Steve Moran and an outstanding
display from young Andrews.

Moran, bought from Southampton for £300,000 a year ago,
pounced in the 53rd minute to knock home an Ian Wilson
pass and that goal turned out to be enough.

Yet before then Andrews had made two miraculous stops
to keep Leicester, without a point or a goal before the start,
in with a chance.

Just before half time he brilliantly pushed over Teddy
Sheringham's pile driving, 20 yard free kick and 30 seconds
after the break he pulled off an equally impressive stop after
danger man George Lawrence had created a chance out
of nothing.

Leicester manager Bryan Hamilton admitted afterwards,
"There was a lot of good stuff out there and Millwall
contributed fully to it."

To add to the Lions misery they had three men booked.
Les Briley was undeservedly cautioned for time-wasting,
George Lawrence joined him in the referees notebook for a
fracas with Ian Wilson and Alan Walker was booked right at
the end. I thought all the bookings were very harsh,"
commented Docherty.

RATINGS: Horne ***, Stevens ***, Sparham ***, Hurlock ***, Wood ***, Subs: Carter and Morgan. Bookings: Briley, Lawrence and Walker. Match Rating 4

LIONS ' manager John Docherty was cursing his luck after this defeat at
Filbert Street on Saturday.

Docherty, who has spent £500,000 on rebuilding in an all out bid for
promotion, said: "Leicester can thank their lucky stars that their 'keeper
Ian Andrews was in top form. He made two brilliant saves."

Leicester boss Bryan Hamilton was delighted with the change in fortune
for his side, who were relegated from the First Division last season and lost
their opening two matches without scoring.

"It was a good performance because Millwall are not an easy team to play
against," he said. Steve Moran scored the goal after 52 minutes when he
collected a fine pass from Ian Wilson, moved forward and fired past
Millwall 'keeper Brian Horne.

One of Docherty's summer signings, George Lawrence from Southampton,
was the pride of the Lions. Lawrence, who cost £160,000, repeatedly
shrugged off his markers and covered acres of ground.

In fact he occasionally seem too fast for his colleagues. In the first half
alone, he made a marvelous cross from the byline, and had header and
close range shot cleared off the line by the Leicester defenders and
Andrews.

The result left Millwall almost exactly halfway in the Second Division.
On the opening day of the season they achieve a creditable 1-1 draw
at Middlesborough, and this was followed by a 3-1 defeat of Barnsley
at the Den on Saturday.

This Saturday Millwall travel to Bradford City, who were lying fourth after
last Saturday's matches but had played one game more. Bradford were held
to goalless draw at home to Leeds.

GEORGE LAWRENCE was last night hailed pride of the lions, despite Millwall's 1-0 defeat at Leicester.

The £160,000 signing repeatedly shrugged off his marker covered acres of ground but often seemed to quick for his teammates.

One marvelous first half cross from the byline was there to be capitalised on.

And his first half header and close range shot were just beaten off the line
by the defence and an inform a Andrews in goal.

It was Leicester front man Steve Moran who later stole the limelight from Lawrence with his 52nd minute winner which gives his side their first
points of the season.

Millwall boss John Docherty said afterwards. "We should have won, but Leicester can thank their lucky stars that Ian Andrews was in top form".