ANDY Marshall will be hoping his European experience will help to secure him a new deal at Millwall.

ANDY Marshall will be hoping his European experience will help to secure him a new deal at Millwall, writes Derek Davis.

The former Ipswich keeper played a starring role for the Division One side in Saturday's FA Cup final despite ending on the losing side in a 3-0 defeat to Manchester United.

A move to the London club would suit Marshall, as long as he knew he was top choice for Ray Wilkins and Dennis Wise, who are looking to build a squad capable of competing in the UEFA Cup next season.

Wise is aware of Marshall's European experience with Ipswich but after the Cup Final was giving nothing away and told the EADT: "Andy did very well, making some good saves. We need to sit down with all three keepers and decide what is going to happen. I'm mindful of Andy's experience in Europe but there are a lot of issues to resolve.

"He had a difficult experience at Ipswich and we will have to go through things before making sure everyone is happy."

Marshall was understandably beaming despite the defeat and admitted the day had been a wonderfully emotional experience which he could not have envisaged at Christmas.

He said: "Four-and-a-half months ago I was playing reserve-team football for Ipswich. Now I have played in an FA Cup final. It was incredible. The whole day flew by, just as people said it would but it was an absolutely amazing experience.

"I was determined to enjoy every moment and I have.

"The result was disappointing but I like to think I did well."

Marshall showed tremendous athleticism and skill to reach a perfectly-struck Roy Keane volley from the edge of the area, which the United skipper, making a record-breaking sixth final appearance, thought was bound for the top corner.

Marshall said: "Roy said congratulations to me and that I did very well to get to his shot, and coming from him it meant a lot to me. It was a nice thing for him to say and I appreciated it."

The former England Under-21 keeper collected his runners-up medal and a couple of words of commiseration from England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson – and where he will be playing come August was far from his mind at that point.

Andy Marshall watch

Four minutes three seconds: First touch was to take goal-kick after Ruud van Nistelrooy header went wide.

8min.22secs: Gathered Paul Scholes header

22.13: Made excellent tip-over save from 25-yard Roy Keane volley

29.40: Covered near post as Ronaldo hit side-netting

41.01: Got arm on Ronaldo shot and room-mate Darren Ward cleared before it crossed the line

43.58: Beaten by Portuguese international Ronaldo's header from six yards, which he could not do much about.

Half-time

45.40: Got behind Darren Fletcher shot after terrific weaving run.

52.30: Brilliant diving save to deny Paul Scholes' 22-yard shot on turn.

59.13: Plucked Ronaldo cross out of the air.

65.00: Faced penalty and beaten by van Nistelrooy. Went right way but the ball was hit high past him.

81.09: Stranded as van Nistelrooy taps in to complete the scoring.