MILLWALL boss Neil Harris felt the dismissal of Southend United midfielder Will Atkinson did not help the Lions at the weekend.

Atkinson was sent off for a late challenge on Millwall captain Tony Craig.

But Harris felt Millwalll found it tough going against 10 men.

“I thought we were excellent for 33 minutes when it was 11 v 11 but then the sending off came and it didn’t galvanise us, we didn’t use the ball wisely enough, and we got a little bit frustrated at times,” said the former Shrimpers striker.

“I thought we were a little bit ragged at times as a unit and I also thought Southend were excellent with 10 men, they made it so hard for us.”

However, Harris did not initially think Atkinson deserved to be dismissed in the 34th minute of the match.

“At the time I thought it looked high but I didn’t immediately think red card when I saw it,” said the Eastwood based Harris.

“But what I do know is that my captain is one of the hardest players I ever played with. If he goes down on the floor and rolls around, you know there’s something wrong. He’s also the fairest player I’ve ever played with so he certainly wouldn’t be trying to get someone sent off.

“But having played against Will Atkinson, he’s not a dirty player either so it certainly wouldn’t have been intentional by Will if it was high and late.”