Norwich midfielder Matt Gill has urged the Canaries to be more 'streetwise' to compete with their Championship rivals.

City conceded a stoppage time equaliser in the final moments of Tuesday's midweek 1-1 draw at Millwall after David Fox had emphatically despatched Gill's throw in to put them ahead at the Den.

Paul Lambert's depleted squad now face a televised date at Reading this weekend and Gill is convinced the Canaries will learn from their late setback in south London.

'It was very hard to take,' he said. 'We were on the other end of it Saturday, of course, but it is still disappointing to come to Millwall, dominate the second half and limit them to very few opportunities. We need to be a tiny bit more streetwise to see out these type of games and we can come away with wins but, who knows, this might be a very important point by the end of the season.

'Maybe we could have held the ball in the corner at the other end. We need to learn the lessons and take those on board quickly and I think the lads will do that. We shouldn't give the opposition chances to come at us. It was one of those, the ball comes in from a corner, they get a flick on and it is bouncing around. It's a tough one to take. But I look at the positives and with a few players out to get a point at a hard place like Millwall is good.' Gill profited from the absence of suspended midfielder Andrew Crofts and a lengthening injury list to get his first league action for the Canaries this season. The 30-year-old recently spent a month on loan at previous club Peterborough in a bid for first team football.

'It was very helpful,' he said. 'I don't think you realise just how much missing football affects you. You can train as hard as you like but it's the games that matter. The gaffer gave me an opportunity to go and play some first team games and I really appreciate that. He has been unbelievable for me. It was great to go out and play a few minutes at Peterborough and get some rustiness out of my system but it was brilliant to be back.

'After being on the bench for the last three games I was really pleased to get an opportunity to play. Maybe mine came because we had a few out injured but I love every day of coming to the training ground and it's a pleasure to work with the bunch of lads we have. It's a winning mentality and the manager would not have it any other way. We don't know when to stop. I think we showed again that you have to match teams in terms of physicality and hard work because I believe footballing-wise we are good enough to beat anyone.'

Gill also claimed an assist for Fox who opened his goal account for the club at the Den.

'I've always had a long throw,' he said. 'I use it in training when we are lining up against the first team on Thursday or Friday to show them what the opposition might do. It's always been in my locker so it was pleasing to see one come off. Holty (Grant Holt) got the knockdown and Foxy showed unbelievable technique. Set pieces are massive at every level of football from the Premier League downwards – and you've seen again for both goals.'