MILLWALL manager Kenny Jackett is hoping Monday’s Den clash with AFC Wimbledon will be the start of another epic cup run for the Lions.

Jackett’s side reached the fourth round of the competition last year before going out 2-0 at Hull City and also earned plaudits for their recent League Cup display at West Ham.

The Lions led for most of the game against their Premiership neighbours before a late equaliser forced extra-time and led to an eventual 3-1 defeat.

Jackett said: “We were pleased with what we did last year when we ended up playing a Premiership side away from home and gave a good account of ourselves.

“This year we’ve had a decent run in the League Cup and again ended up playing a Premier League side away from home and gave a very good account of ourselves, so we would like more of the same.

“To do that, we have to negotiate the early rounds and in no way will we underestimate our opposition.

“AFC Wimbledon have had a very successful period since re-forming in the last six or seven years where they’ve made their way to the Conference from starting out in the Combined Counties League.

“I watched them last week and they are a bright football team who are playing with a lot of confidence and with no fear.

“They will come here to play and will not have a lot of worries or inhibitions on the day, so they must be respected by ourselves.”

Jackett could be boosted by the return of on-loan Wolves defender Darren Ward and striker Ashley Grimes for the Dons clash, while Chris Hackett is expected to recover in time from a back injury which has kept him out of training this week.

The Millwall boss will know if he has landed the October manager of the month award before the visit of the Dons after an impressive recent run of results which has lifted Millwall to the brink of the play-off places.

October produced four wins and a draw, although Jackett faces competition for the gong from Southampton’s Alan Pardew, Norwich’s Paul Lambert and Paul Ince of MK Dons, with the winner set to be announced on Saturday.

The manager of the month award has earned the reputation as being cursed due to previous winners ending up going on a losing run, but Jackett is unfazed by the suggestion when asked.

He said: “If I win it then fantastic because you want everything you can get in a hard job and a hard game.

“If I got it then I would be honoured to take it.

“Whether there is a curse that goes with it is just superstition and wouldn’t worry me.”

Millwall this week agreed to extend the stay of utility player Jack Smith this week until 2011 after some impressive displays since his arrival on a short-term deal during the summer.

“His contract is nearly up anyway, so it was obviously coming to the point where we needed discussions,” explained Jackett.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries in the early part of the season which gave him the opportunity perhaps.

“The other side of it is he has played in three positions – right back, quite a number at centre half and left back in recent games.

“He has shown some versatility, something which has been a really good thing for the squad.”