by Bill Pierce 

Millwall 2 Lincoln 0

Steve Lovell Is bristling with confidence—and goals. So if Bristol City see stubble on the quietly spoken Welshman's chin when they go out to face Millwall at The Den on Saturday, they'll know they are in for trouble.  

Lovell, the free-transfer full-back from Crystal Palace whom   Millwall manager George Graham has pushed up front to fill the gap left by injury to prolific striker Dean Neal, has hit 11 goals in 13 games this season and eight in the last six - including the double that has put his team top of the Third Division after  2 - 0 home win over Lincoln. 

That's razor-sharp finishing by any standards, and Lovell, sporting a four-day growth of beard, said : “I never shave before a match—it's a superstition. And so far this season it's working well.” 

“I didn't shave before our 1-1   draw  at  York  on Saturday, when I scored, and with another game last night, I decided I might as well let it grow a bit more. Anyway, I'm telling myself it's a lucky charm . . . perhaps it's really because I'm a bit lazy about shaving” 

Millwall fans will confirm, though, that luck and laziness had little to do with turning Lovell into a goal-ace.  

“I'd better not praise him too; much—he'll be expecting a raise!  But, seriously, he's doing a great job for us.” 

“When Dean Neal comes back from his groin injury I'll have a nice selection problem, but despite that I'm still looking for forwards to strengthen the squad. It's very satisfying to be at the top and still with a 100 per cent home League record, but there's a long way to go yet and we are bound to, hit a sticky patch or two with suspensions. Injuries and that sort of thing.” 

“That's when we'll need depth in the squad and I'll be on the look-out when the right quality of player becomes available.”                  |

Lovell, Graham's first signing when he took over at The Den 18 months ago, will almost certainly move back to midfield when Neal is fit.

“l won't mind that”,  he says, “I still think it's my best position, even though I've naturally acquired a taste for getting in the box and scoring goals. Whatever happens it will be better than at Palace where they really messed me about. I don't think I played more than three consecutive games in the same position.” 

It looked a close shave for Millwall last night, however, when Lincoln outplayed them in the first-half. 

● Steve Lovell is fouled by Lincoln full-back Neil Redfearn for Millwall's spot kick.

admitted: “Really, we looked very poor and I had to shake them up at half-time.” 

By then, though, Lovell had struck with a penalty after being held down by full-back Neil Redfearn as he tried to jump for a Keith Stevens free kick in first-half injury time. 

And Millwall's solid improvement after the break brought him a second goal six minutes from the end thanks to a swerve and a shot by the excellent Anton Otulakowski which keeper Dave Felgate could only parry to Lovell's feet.

Lovell Double as Millwall go top 

By Ian Malin 

Millwall 2-0 Lincoln 

MILLWALL manager George Graham is still looking to strengthen his squad — despite Tuesday's win that took them to the top of Division Three. 

The down-to-earth Graham realises that promotion is far from certain for the Lions, who leapfrogged over Bristol Rovers into the top slot this week. 

The last time Millwall headed the Third Division was five years ago. At the end of the season they were in 14th place. 

Millwall now look better equipped for their promotion assault with a strong squad who have carved out a 100 per cent home record after six League wins. 

Last weekend even York manager Denis Smith named Millwall as one of his promotion sides. 

Goals 

Afterwards George Graham said, “I am still looking for forwards in spite of the fact that we are getting goals.” 

“I want a strong squad of players because we are bound to get injuries and suspensions.” 

“It is very satisfying to be on top but we will have to battle hard to stay there.” 

Millwall have Steve Lovell to thank for their purple patch. He has turned striker in the absence of Dean Neal and now scored in his last six games. 

Lovell was the pick of the Millwall players who were frustrated in the first half by Lincoln, who looked the more likely side to score.  

He might have scored twice in the first half with a shot and header. Then Neil Redfern was judged to be guilty of a foul on the former Palace player and Lovell stepped up to score a penalty that goalkeeper Felgate almost stopped. 

● Penalty: Lovell is pulled down by Redfern 

steady himself and crack in a shot from close range after the unfortunate Felgate had parried an Anton Otulakowski effort.

The result was a sweet revenge for Millwall who were beaten by Lincoln at The Den by the same score at the tail end of last season. 

MILLWALL: Sansome, Stevens, Roffey, Briley, Smith, Cusack, Lowndes, Bremner, McLeary. Lovell, Otulakowski. Sub: Kinsella.

Stand –in striker Steve Lovell last night brought his goal tally to 11 as Millwall went surging to the top of the Third Division, writes Jack Steggles. 

Lovell, a crystal palace reject, has switched from full-back because of injury to Dean Neal spectacular results. 

He has hit the target in each of the last six games to leave life with the Lions looking rosy. 

Lovell, who followed manager George Graham fro Palace on a free transfer, scored with a penalty in first half injury time and grabbed the clincher seven minutes from the end. 

“If he keeps playing as he is and scoring regularly he will stay up front even when Neal is fit again.” 

The Lions – rock bottom when Graham took over in December 1982 – recovered from a sticky start to win in style and show the pride is back at Cold Blow Lane. 

They were second best to lively Lincoln in the first half and got a lucky break with a penalty. 

For it seemed harmless enough when Neil Redfearn collided with Lovell and then Felgate got both hands to Lovell’s spot kick but could not prevent it rolling into the net. 

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