SPORT IN BRIEF

Millwall clinch Wembley final
FOOTBALL: Millwall earned a place in the League One play-off final after holding Leeds United to a 1-1 draw at Elland Road, ensuring a 2-1 aggregate victory.

One-nil down from the away leg, Jermaine Beckford missed a penalty for Leeds before Luciano Becchio netted to level the aggregate scores. But the Lions hit back through Djimi Abdou to set up a Wembley final against either MK Dons or Scunthorpe, who play tonight.

One-two for O’Brien at York
RACING: Trainer Aidan O’Brien secured a one-two finish as Black Bear Island, ridden by Colm O’Donoghue, clinched the Dante Stakes at York.

The 12-1 shot edged out stablemate, and Johnny Murtagh charge, Freemantle (13-2) in the Derby trial with Sans Frontieres finishing third.

Pryce axed from England squad
RUGBY LEAGUE: St Helens stand-off Leon Pryce was the notable absentee from England’s initial 17-man elite training squad, announced yesterday.

Pryce is left out along with Saints team-mate Paul Wellens and Leeds star Kevin Sinfield as coach Tony Smith opted for a younger squad. Smith is, however, expected to add to his squad throughout the Super League season ahead of the fixture against France on 13 June.

Molinari leads Irish Open
GOLF: Italian Francesco Molinari shot a nine-under-par 63 to take a one-shot lead into the second round of the Irish Open at Drogheda today. Sweden’s Johan Edfors is at eight-under, two clear of English trio Nick Dougherty, Oliver Wilson and Robert Rock, who share third place on six-under.