Millwall boss Neil Harris has admitted the confidence in his squad is growing after their 1-0 victory over Sheffield United on Saturday.

The Lions clinched the points with Chris Taylor scoring after only two minutes on his return to the club.

The second-half proved more even as Nigel Adkins’ Blades saw more of the ball and put pressure on the Millwall back-line, with Lions stopper Jordan Archer forced to pull off a world-class save from a Billy Sharp header late on.

“The foundation for that win was team spirit. For me, it’s everything. It gives us a camaraderie and a belief in what we do,” said Harris.

“It’s momentum and confidence. I give the players license to pay with freedom and express themselves and the team talk before, in a nutshell, was to enjoy the occasion but go out and play with some freedom and I thought the group did.

“We should have been put of sight at half-time that’s for sure, but I was delighted with my players. “That’s a Millwall performance in a Millwall type atmosphere. I thought the fans were brilliant. They got right behind us and I think that should leave my players wanting more.”

Goalscorer Chris Taylor, who previously played for the Lions during the 2012-2013 season, only joined up with the squad on Thursday having arrived on a loan deal from Blackburn until the end of the season.

Harris insisted the signing of Taylor was a great coup for the club, especially after Jed Wallace was recalled from his loan spell by Wolves.

He said: “He was only in on Thursday, but obviously he knows some of the players and the staff so that really helps.

“He knows the club, that’s the most important thing. He brings experience but also quality and professionalism and that’s really key.

“I’m delighted for him. He deserved the winning goal today because of his performance, but the biggest thing for me was that his desire to come and play for us was huge.

“I’ve been speaking to him on the phone this week and he’s been so excited, he came with a big smile on his face and he played like it.”

Harris added: “Chris is not a direct replacement for Wallace.

“Jed is a super talent and played really well for us but he’s a winger, there’s not many about that play like that.

“Chris has come in and he plays slightly differently but still gives us an outlet. He carries the ball really well and he’ll certainly add quality to the group.”

The victory keeps Millwall fifth in League One, four points above Barnsley and next opponents Bradford with nine games to go, and Harris says he couldn’t be happier with the squad at the moment.

The 38-year-old said: “They gave everything, you could see them throwing bodies on the line and at this stage of the season it’s tough to keep clean sheets.

“To do that against a big club and good team, I’m really pleased.”