Lions eat Swans for fun

Coca-Cola League One

MILLWALL returned to winning ways thanks, in part, to Paul Robinson's first goal at The Den for more than two years.

However, despite a second half Neil Harris penalty securing the three points, the Lions dropped a place to 14th in League One.

Swansea City had come to south London harbouring play-off ambitions but they were not helped by Alan Tate's sending off on 22 minutes for two yellow cards.

Lions boss Willie Donachie gave Ryan Smith his full first-team debut and Chris Hackett returned to the starting line-up in two changes to the side beaten at Port Vale.

Disaster struck for Millwall inside the first minute when Darren Byfield was stretchered off after a crunching collison with Swans' defender Dennis Lawrence.

Poul Hubertz took Byfield's place and within nine minutes, referee Rob Lewis was booking Tate for a clumsy challenge on the Dane.

On 21 minutes, the referee was reaching for his book for a second time following Tate's lunging tackle on Smith and the official had no option other than to send the visiting skipper off.

Harris flicked a header inches wide and Danny Senda sent a stinging effort a foot wide of the post.

Millwall finally made the breakthrough on 31 minutes when Smith's cross bounced off the top of the bar, Hubertz headed back across goal and Lions skipper Robinson slid home from six yards.

Harris had an effort block moments later and he again tested the visiting goal on the stroke of half-time but his deft chip dropped wide.

Swansea boss Roberto Martinez brought on Lee Trundle and Richard Duffy after the break while Donachie introduced Marvin Elliott for Chris Hackett.

It was still all Millwall as Hubertz headed over and then the striker should have done better when he was clear through on 63 minutes but went for the glory himself when both Smith and Harris were in arguably better positions, and the big Dane was ultimately crowded out on the edge of the area.

However Millwall did not have to wait long for a second.

Harris won a penalty and brushed himself down to send the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.

Chopper was desperately close to adding his second, and Millwall's third, barely four minutes later.

Brammer's quick thinking from a freekick found Harris, who in turn found Hubertz, and the latter's cross was met by Chopper, whose header glanced just the wrong side of the post.

But the points were Millwall's and it ends a run of three games without a win.

MATCH FACTS:

MILLWALL: Pidgeley, Senda, Craig, Dunne (Ardley, 78), Robinson, Shaw, Brammer, Smith, Byfield (Hubertz, 1), Harris, Hackett (Elliott, 55). SUBS NOT USED: Day, Ashton.

ATT:9,249.