NEIL Harris’ early strike was enough to continue Millwall’s recent impressive run and seal victory over Hartlepool at The Den.

This was the Lions’ seventh win from the last eight games and although just outside of the play-offs, Kenny Jackett’s side are only being kept out by the superior goal difference of sixth-placed Huddersfield Town.

Alan Dunne headed wide from Chris Hackett’s corner within 90 seconds as Millwall began on the front foot.

They got their noses in front on nine minutes when they were awarded a free-kick 20 yards out following a foul by Sam Collins on Harris.

Harris, who had scored in almost identical circumstances in the last home game against Exeter, stepped up to repeat the trick again and smash home the free-kick past Scott Flinders in the Hartlepool goal.

Harris almost grabbed an instant second but he headed over the bar from Dunne’s delivery.

The Lions had a lucky escape on 13 minutes when Colin Larkin beat the offside trap and played a low pass to pick out Anthony Sweeney, but his shot from 15 yards landed straight into the hands of David Forde.

Morison’s 21st minute looping header produced a stop from Flinders, with Dunne again the provider.

Harris easily brushed off Neil Austin six minutes later and crossed to Morison, but nobody was able to meet his flicked header and the danger was cleared.

A good counter attack from Hartlepool on 31 minutes ended with Dunne heading behind Larkin’s dangerous cross.

Morison squandered a great chance when Harris’ header put him through on goal before he inexplicably opted to place his shot into the Lions fans sat behind Flinders’ goal.

Morison did well to shake off the attentions of Gary Liddle to break into the area a minute before the break, although the Hartlepool defender did well to retrieve the situation by charging down the Millwall striker’s shot.

There was still time for Harris to come within inches of applying a touch to Hackett’s stoppage time free-kick into the danger zone, but Millwall were fully deserving of their half-time advantage.

Morison had the first chance of the second period, firing into the side netting within three minutes of the restart.

However, Hartlepool should have been level on 54 minutes when Forde fumbled a cross and Tony Craig scrambled a shot off the line.

Harris headed over from Hackett’s inviting cross three minutes later, while substitute Ritchie Humphries failed to connect with Austin’s delivery at the other end.

Flinders did well to push behind Hackett’s 30-yard free-kick and from the resulting corner, Morison’s shot hit the bar before Harris blazed over.

The visitors missed a sitter on the hour when a completely unmarked Denis Behan shot wide from 12 yards.

Millwall had an ambitious 73rd minute penalty appeal ignored when Hackett went to ground a bit too easily under a challenge by Austin, while Harris scuffed a volley wide of the post from six-yards shortly afterwards.

Liam Trotter’s first time low shot went straight at Flinders, while Forde had to tip over Ritchie Jones’ cross seconds later.

Peter Hartley’s long range drive forced Forde to get down low and then Hackett blazed over as the action continued to swing from end to end.

Sam Collins charged down an 86th minute goalbound effort from Harris and the goal hero was replaced by Scott Barron with one minute remaining.

There was still time for Joe Gamble to blaze over from the edge of the area in added time but Millwall ran down the clock to wrap up another three points.

Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Robinson, Ward, Craig, Schofield (Batt 61), Hackett, Abdou, Trotter, Harris (Barron 89), Morison. Subs not used: Sullivan, Frampton, Smith, Fuseini, Obika. Att: 10,818.