Gary Rowett expressed his disappointment in his side’s heavy FA Cup defeat to Bristol City but admitted the league is the main priority this season.

Millwall were looking to build on their midweek win against Huddersfield, their first since a 2-0 away victory against Bristol City, but the much changes line up were unable to send the Lions to a fifth round tie with Sheffield United.

On the game, Rowett said, ‘I’m disappointed with the overall score line. We took the game in isolation on t he back of four away games.

‘Wednesday night we put a huge amount of effort into a game in difficult condition and got back late.

‘I needed to make changes, the reality for us this season is that the FA Cup without fans doesn’t feel quite the same as it would with fans normally at the Den.

‘Therefore, I felt I needed to make changes and take the game in isolation.’

There were starts for Mason Bennett, Ken Zohore, Troy Parrott and Tom Bradshaw as Rowett gave an opportunity for his attackers to address Millwall’s lack of goal.

Rowett continued, ‘We went with quite an attacking line-up, with plenty of attacking players on the pitch.

‘For the first 30 minutes we played quite well, and we had some moments, some chances, plenty of control of the ball.

‘We make one mistake, we allow one of their midfielders to run past ours, that drags [Alex Pearce] out and they get in behind. [Frank Fielding] tries to do what he can but brings him down for a penalty.

‘To go in 1-0 down was a little bit unfair and unfortunate but it is what it is. We responded quite well, had some good moments, their keeper made some saves.

‘We got into some positions where we needed to do better. That’s probably the story of our season, we need that little bit of creativity in the final third.

‘The second goal really kills the game and kills us. It’s a free kick, needlessly given away and a deflected goal that sends the keeper the wrong way. It’s an unfortunate goal but I’m disappointed.’

Despite the heavy defeat, a 3-0 score line probably flattered the away side but overall Millwall didn’t do enough to score.

With games coming thick and fast, Rowett admitted that his priorities were on improving his sides league form.

He explained, ‘I’m not going to lie and say the FA Cup was our main priority this season. However, I put a side out that I thought could win the game and I wanted to win the game, so I’m disappointed to have lost it in the manner we did.’