Simon Hughes urges Lions to come back stronger next season

10.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th May 2009

After a disappointing result in the play-off final on Sunday, Simon Hughes has called on Millwall FC to build on the achievement of reaching the final and make an even stronger push for promotion next season.

Millwall fought hard in the early summer heat for a place in the Championship but were eventually defeated by a Scunthorpe winner just five minutes from time. After going behind to an early goal, the Lions bounced back to take the lead with two from star striker Gary Alexander. However Scunthorpe battled back with an equaliser before grabbing the winner in the 85th minute.

Having shared in the disappointment of the 40,000 other Millwall fans that travelled to Wembley, Simon said:

"The result is a great disappointment after coming so close to promotion and seeing the boys fight so hard this afternoon.

However we must be proud of the team's contribution to a great final this afternoon and an impressive performance over the whole season.

I hope now that the Lions can build on these achievements and return next season even more determined to gain promotion to Championship."