Millwall nearly threw away a two-goal lead for the second time in three matches but held on against Derby after substitute David Nugent’s second-half strike.

The visitors went behind after just six minutes when Jake Cooper looked to have got the final touch off Shaun Williams’ cross for the opener.

Derby struggled with the Lions’ constant pressure, and things went from bad to worse as Williams’ long-range effort deflected off Fikayo Tomori into the top-right corner.

Nugent’s goal halved the lead five minutes after he came on for Martyn Waghorn and, despite the late drama, the hosts did enough for all three points.

Neil Harris saw similar events unfold on the opening day of the new league campaign when Middlesbrough scored twice late on to draw 2-2.

But this win means his side have now picked up five points from a possible nine in their first three Championship fixtures.

For Frank Lampard, it’s his second straight defeat as Derby were thrashed 4-1 by Leeds United at Pride Park.

Harris made 10 changes to the team which defeated Gillingham in the Carabao Cup on penalties during midweek.

Jordan Archer was favoured in goal over Ben Amos while new signing Jiri Skalak was on the bench.

Both sides’ goalkeepers were tested early on, but a Millwall free-kick saw the ball bundle in past Scott Carson off Cooper.

James Meredith would later drill a low cross into George Saville, only for his shot to be blocked, as Williams’ follow-up flew in for the second.

Penalty shouts from the opposition were twice turned down by referee Stephen Martin, but the tide fully turned when Waghorn was replaced with more than 20 minutes remaining.

Substitute Nugent raced onto a Craig Forsyth through ball to strike fear into supporters at the Den, fearing a repeat of what happened on opening day.

Saville twice missed opportunities which would have arguably put the game to bed, with effort from a Shaun Hutchinson knock-down going wide.

But despite the drama which saw Mason Mount drag his effort inside the box wide, Millwall claimed all three points.