TEN-man Millwall overcame non-league neighbours Dartford last night after youngster John Marquis was sent off in the first half.

Marquis was adjudged to have led with an elbow when challenging Dartford defender Joe Bruce on 40 minutes and was promptly given his marching orders by referee Ian Cooper.

Lions chief Kenny Jackett was incensed by the decision in what had been, until that point, a mild mannered match.

However, Jackett could have no complaints about the way his side dominated early on, taking a deserved lead after only nine minutes.

An inch-perfect corner from Marc Laird found 33-year-old Neil Harris, who belied his age by rising above two Dartford defenders to nod home.

And Harris could have added a second minutes later when, with only the keeper to beat, he scooped a shot over from six yards after a neat one-two with strike partner Gary Alexander.

It was a short-lived respite for the home side with another great delivery from the lively Laird picking out Alexander to slide home the second on 18 minutes With Millwall cruising, debutant Stephen Mildenhall nearly gifted the home side a goal.

The keeper flapped at a deep cross, allowing Lee Burns to head goal-ward but a last-ditch block on the line spared the keeper’s blushes.

After Marquis’ dismissal on 40 minutes, Mildenhall redeemed himself with a neat save from a James Whites shot.

Despite making four changes at half-time, the Darts failed to create many clear-cut chances after the interval.

Millwall continued their dominance with Kiernan Hughes-Mason unsuccessfully letting fly from 20 yards.

At the other end, Darts striker Charlie Sheringham, watched by former Millwall favourite and dad Teddy, saw his stooping header saved by Mildenhall.

Sheringham nearly got the better of Mildenhall moments later when he flicked a shot past the on-rushing keeper, only to see substitute Pat O’Connor close him out before he could get his attempt away.

Dartford: Young, Burgess, Gross (Probets 73), Bruce (Bonner 73), Goodacre, Shinn (Berquez 45), Hayes (Champion 45), White (Rook 64), Sheringham (Burchell 82), Burns (Noble 45), Harris (Bradbrook 45) Sub not used: Ibrahim.

Millwall: Mildenhall, Dunne, McLaren, Laird, Robinson (O'Connor 64), Ward, Grabban (Abdou 64), Marquis, Harris (Morison 64), Hughes-Mason (Kingsmill 69), Alexander. Sub not used: Forde. Att: 2,602.