Milllwall 3-1 Coventry

Martin Cranie’s 17th minute own goal gave Millwall a half-time advantage which was cancelled out on the hour by Aron Gunnarsson.

Coventry’s hopes of snatching something from the game were dealt a huge blow when substitute Carl Baker picked up his second yellow card in the 72nd minute.

Millwall took full advantage of their numerical advantage when Liam Trotter and Steve Morison (pen) both found the target and only some stunning saves by visiting keeper Iain Turner kept the scoreline down.

Lions keeper David Forde had to get down low to push behind Gary McSheffrey’s swerving fifth minute free-kick.

After a slow start, it was Millwall who broke the deadlock on 17 minutes when Morison’s cross from the left was fired into his own net by Cranie, who had Neil Harris breathing down his neck.

Cranie came to Coventry’s rescue six minutes later when he headed away Scott Barron’s cross with Morison ideally placed to double the lead.

Gary McSheffrey volleyed wildly over the bar after Paul Robinson’s header had only half cleared the danger as Coventry attempted to hit back.

An unmarked Harris headed agonisingly over on the half hour after getting a touch on Barron’s dangerous looking free-kick.

Morison was penalised for a foul after Coventry keeper Turner had made a hash of Danny Schofield’s 35th minute delivery.

Millwall were dealt a blow three minutes later when James Henry appeared to pull a hamstring and was forced to make way for Chris Hackett moments before Harris smashed the bar with a powerful volley from eight yards.

However, Coventry should have been back on terms on the stroke of the interval when Gunnarsson inexplicably fired wide of the post from six yards with virtually the last kick of the half.

Harris had the first real chance of the second half with a 54th minute shot from 20 yards which produced a save from Turner.

McSheffrey’s 57th minute free-kick into the danger zone failed to pick out anybody and landed straight into the hands of Forde.

Alan Dunne was unfortunate to see a shot go over after breaking into the Coventry box one minute later before Morison’s stunning 25-yard volley flew wide of the target.

But Coventry drew level on the hour when Gunnarson shrugged off ward before breaking into the box and placing a low shot beyond the reach of Forde.

Millwall almost responded immediately when Morison’s header from six-yards went just wide of the post after the Lions striker got on the end of Barron’s delivery.

Harris appealed furiously for a foul after clashing with Nathan Cameron just outside of the area, an appeal which fell on deaf ears.

Turner got a crucial touch on Trotter’s 67th minute shot to concede a corner and the Coventry keeper punched clear under pressure from Robinson after Barron’s free-kick was headed back across the face of goal by Morison.

Coventry substitute Baker was dismissed on 72 minutes for a foul on Barron, his second yellow card in quick succession following an earlier altercation with Jimmy Abdou.

Dunne’s 75th minute low drive went straight at Turner but there was nothing the keeper could do 60 seconds later as Trotter lobbed him with a shot from the edge of the area to restore Millwall’s advantage.

Schofield was only denied by a stunning save from Turner but the Lions were awarded a penalty from the corner when Morison was upended by James McPake.

The Millwall striker quickly got to his feet and made no mistake from the spot by sending Turner the wrong way.

Turner was at hand again to deny substitute Darren Carter with a quick reaction save and Robinson’s flicked header from the corner went well wide.

But the job was done by this stage and the Lions were never troubled by the visitors on the way to what turned out to be a comfortable success.

Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Robinson, Ward, Barron, Henry (Hackett 38), Trotter, Abdou, Schofield (Carter 82), Harris (Lisbie 87), Morison. Subs not used: Mildenhall, Mkandawire, Smith, Marquis.