MILLWALL followed up their FA Cup victory at Crewe with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Tranmere Rovers at The Den on Saturday.

Midfielder Marc Laird scored the crucial goal on 71 minutes, arriving late in the box to head home David Martin's cross after good build up play from Neil Harris.

The visitors nearly took the lead after just nine minutes when centre-half Ben Chorley latched on to a poor clearance from Martin.

However, Chorley was denied by a superb save from David Forde, who tipped over for a corner.

Harris, who received an award before the match for breaking the Millwall goal scoring record earlier this week, fired straight at Danny Coyne in the Tranmere goal before setting up Tresor Kandol, who wasted a good opportunity by blasting over.

Lions boss Kenny Jackett made two changes at the break, including the introduction of on-loan Charlton striker Izale McLeod.

The debutant nearly made the perfect start to his Millwall career, striking the outside of the post on 50 minutes.

However, Tranmere began to impose themselves with Chris Shuker seeing a fierce shot blocked by Lions skipper Paul Robinson before Edrissa Sonko drew another fine save from Forde.

Laird's header, though, changed the flow of the game and Millwall were unlucky not to double their lead when the referee waived away strong penalty claims after Jimmy Abdou was brought down in the box.