Marvin Sordell’s second-half goal was enough to beat 10-man Millwall at the Den.

Jed Wallace was shown a straight red card by referee Tony Harrington in the 58th minute for a late tackle on Tom Flanagan. The winger walked off without any complaints, but the decision was very harsh.

The Lions are now just five points away from the relegation zone.

Neil Harris made four changes to the side that lost against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday with Shane Ferguson, Tom Elliott, Fred Onyedinma and the suspended Jake Cooper making way for Aiden O’Brien, Steve Morison, Lee Gregory and Tony Craig.

This contest was always going to be a scrappy one and it showed with the best chance of the first 20 minutes coming through George Saville’s harmless free-kick.

Burton, who hadn't won in eight games prior to their trip to the Den, were hard to break down in a defensive 4-5-1 formation.

Millwall were dominating most of the ball and threatened on 30 minutes when Burton goalkeeper Stephen Bywater denied Gregory a tap-in after beating away Wallace’s cross.

A nice passing move saw Lloyd Dyer break on the left, but the Brewers’ lack of attacking quality was evident as no player was in the box to meet his dangerous cross.

O’Brien missed a golden opportunity to give Millwall the lead in the 42nd-minute when he fired Wallace’s volley over the bar from six yards out.

And Wallace went close seconds later after directing O’Brien’s pass wide.

Burton’s centre-half pairing Ben Turner and Jake Buxton were excellent in the first-half and continued to nullify Gregory and Morison’s threat following the restart.

Millwall were dealt their severe blow when Wallace was given his marching orders.

And Burton made their man-advantage count in the 70th minute when Sordell put the Championship strugglers in front. Matty Palmer’s shot was blocked by Shaun Hutchinson and the ball fell nicely to Sordell who beat Jordan Archer from close-range.

Sordell, who was on loan at Charlton in the 2014/15 campaign, celebrated by cupping his ears at Millwall fans. It was Burton’s first league goal away from home since August.

Millwall pushed for an equaliser and Gregory was denied by the post with the last kick of the game.

Millwall XI: Archer, McLaughlin, Hutchinson, Craig, Meredith (Onyedinma, 87) , Wallace, Tunnicliffe, Saville (Thompson, 64), O’Brien, Morison (Elliott, 64), Gregory.

Subs not used: Martin, Romeo, Twardek, Mbulu.