KENNY Jackett has praised his promotion-chasing Millwall side’s reaction since their shock 4-0 home defeat against MK Dons at the start of the month.

The Lions went into the Den meeting with MK Dons on the back of six consecutive wins before being stunned by the visitors on October 4.

However, any suggestion the setback would signal a slide down the League One table has been rebutted in impressive style with Millwall responding with another three straight victories.

The latest success came on Tuesday night with a 2-1 win at Colchester, a result which put the Lions joint top of the table.

Jackett said: “I am happy with the reaction at the moment.

“I’ve got a decent balance of ability and attitude within the group, so if you’ve got attitude then you always think people are going to react the right way to a defeat and that has been the case since the MK Dons result.

“It was never a 4-0 anyway, but you still have to come back from it.

“I was very pleased with the Colchester game. I felt Colchester were a good side, particularly in midfield where they got the better of us and had a lot of possession.

“After watching the DVD, my goalkeeper didn’t have much to do in terms of shots to save. The defenders were excellent and very, very good.

“We got two well-worked goals, albeit very early on and there was a bit of smash and grab about the game.

“It was a great one to win because I didn’t feel we were at our best.”

Millwall have a perfect chance to go clear at the top this weekend when they visit Scunthorpe, the side who presently head League One on goal difference.

However, Jackett is refusing to attach any extra significance to the fixture despite the high stakes.

The boss explained: “It is our next game, so whatever our next game is that is the biggest one.

“Obviously it is a great game to be involved in first v second and is something we should look forward to and feel very positive about, but it is no important than Hereford at home on Tuesday.

“However, I feel positively about it because with both team’s position in the league it is a game to look forward to.

“The league position is important, but early in the season you might be in 10th or 12th place and only eight or nine points off the top of the league, so the points total is more important than the position.

“If there is a minimal amount of difference between the teams, which does happen in this division up until around about February, you need to be within touching distance of the top and that is our ambition.

“We have a good points total for the amount of games played so far.”

It is almost one year since Jackett assumed control of the club following the departure of Willie Donachie, a period in which he has transformed them from relegation candidates to promotion hopefuls.

But the change in fortunes is no surprise to the man in the dugout.

Jackett said: “I always felt I could get Millwall going. I had seen the club’s tradition and them do well a number of times in both this division and the Championship.

“I always felt the club was capable of it and I’ve done it before with four promotions and two play-off finals as either a manager or assistant manager.”

He added: “I’ve worked towards both myself and the club doing their best and there was always the possibility of doing well.

“We haven’t achieved anything yet, all we’ve done is hopefully given the players and supporters some belief that we can have a good season and put ourselves within touching distance of the top of the league.

“This is all you can ask for in the early months of the season and we’ve done it, but we have to now capitalise on our position by proving we are a good side throughout the next few months.”

Millwall have no new injury or suspension worries for the visit to Scunthorpe, but Jackett did have some news on Gary Alexander’s recovery.

“Gary tells me he will be back in a week, but the physio thinks it is more likely to be four, so that is certainly a bit of a difference of opinion,” he added.