KENNY Jackett has challenged Alan Dunne to win back his place in Millwall's starting XI after the defender was dropped for Saturday's 0-0 derby draw at Crystal Palace.

Dunne was replaced by Jack Smith in one of five changes by the Lions boss from the side which lost 2-1 at home to Bristol City.

There were debuts for new defensive duo Shane Lowry and Nathan Baker at Selhurst Park, although striker Darius Henderson missed out after sustaining a foot injury in training.

Jackett said: "Baker, Lowry, John Marquis, Scott Barron and Steve Mildenhall went into the side and made good impressions.

"We made quite a number of changes and I think they give us something to base things on.

"If we can build on that and continue with those types of performances then I think we'll get results.

"Darius got injured on Thursday and the injury was in the arch of his foot.

"I don't know how long it will take him but I would be hopeful for Tuesday night against Doncaster.

"I left Alan Dunne out.

"My thinking was we needed some balance in terms of left footers and right footers at the back and Jack Smith has done well.

"Right back is Smith's best position and I felt he deserved that opportunity.

"I do think Alan can come back and I think that's something he has to set himself in terms of a challenge."

Jackett was pleased with the way his side handled the derby test in SE25, although the Millwall manager was far from happy by the decision to award the Eagles a second half penalty following a foul by skipper Paul Robinson on opposite number Paddy McCarthy, even though Glenn Murray missed the spot kick.

He said: "It was a good performance and one I felt we needed coming off the last two games.

"We needed to improve and we were more competitive today. We were in the game and had more of the ball.

"Coming to Crystal Palace is never easy.

"Dougie Freedman has done a very good job and they have some excellent players, so to get a clean sheet here is a big thing.

"I didn't think it was a penalty, I felt the referee was making up for an earlier incident, which was more of a penalty than the one he gave."

And despite now sitting just one place outside of the drop zone on goal difference following Bristol City's win over leaders Southampton, Jackett believes Millwall will soon climb upwards if they continue to play as they did at Selhurst.

He added: "We're fighting at the wrong end of the table at the moment but we must try to keep improving as a team.

"If we can put on good performances, results will follow.

"When you're in our position in the league you are looking over your shoulder.

"Looking at the other results there were some good results for the sides around us.

"I was just pleased with our performance because after quite a number of changes, it was a youngish side and this added some freshness and energy.

"We have to replicate that at home to Doncaster and away to Leeds next Saturday, which would make it a good week.

"You have to earn it and performances look after results, you can't just expect them to come.

"The points total is close but you are where you are and as the season goes on, the table will stretch out. The Championship is notoriously tight and a win or two can get us up the table.

"For a manager performance level is a big thing.

"If you're playing well and consistently doing so then you will get results.

"It's similar the other way, if you keep getting results but are not playing well then you will start losing.

"We have to make sure we have energy, attitude and quality in our team all of the time.

"Those three areas are what I rate and I look for."

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