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Millwall goalkeeper suffers DISASTER as own goal gifts Brighton FA Cup hope - AWFUL PICS
MILLWALL goalkeeper David Martin produced a catastrophic error to gift Brighton life in their FA Cup quarter-final today.
Millwall had been 2-1 up in the fifth minute of stoppage time and looked destined for a semi-final place at Wembley.
A Solly March free-kick was Brighton’s last chance of forcing penalties and the player appeared to overhit his effort, with the ball evading everyone in the box.
But Martin - instead of catching the ball or letting it go out for a goal kick - fluffed the catch and deflected it into his own net!
Brighton’s bench spilled out onto the field as the Premier League side celebrated their good fortune.
And Martin could only hold his head in his hands as the game went to extra time.
The BBC were covering the game for Match of the Day and ex-Tottenham player Jermaine Jenas was critical of the shot-stopper,
“March has been nothing short of brilliant since he came on, but the goalkeeper knows he has made a massive mistake here,” Jenas said.
“I really do not know what he was thinking!”
Brighton coach Steve Sidwell said: “The ball had no pace on it and it's just a lapse of concentration.”
The game eventually went to penalties but not before Shane Ferguson was sent off for a tackle on Shane Duffy.
Martin Montoya also had the ball in the net for Brighton in the last minute of extra time - only for the flag to go up.
Yet video replays show the goal should have stood!
Nevertheless, Brighton did eventually go through to the FA Cup semi-finals after winning the shoot-out 5-4.
Millwall manager Neil Harris rued the mistake from his goalkeeper.
"I thought the players were outstanding. What a performance for 94 minutes,” he said.
“I am a little more disappointed with the first goal. The second was an individual error.
“David Martin is one of the best pros I have come across. He is a great lad, so popular. He deserved his opportunity to come into the team last week.
“He was outstanding for the whole game baring one moment. That is football.
"I am a big believer of whoever misses the first penalty wins the shootout. I wasn't confident. Shane Ferguson is our best penalty taker and wasn't on the pitch because of a moment of stupidity.
“The players put themselves forward so I have no problems with them missing at all.
"I am frustrated. Missing the chance to lead the team in an FA Cup semi-final is a huge frustration for myself, staff, players and fans."