Millwall were held to a draw by 10-man Burnley at The Den this afternoon.

Clarke Carlisle was dismissed in the seventh minute for a challenge on Theo Robinson, the first of a string of baffling decisions by the referee.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Jay Rodriguez put Burnley in front midway through the first half before his effort was cancelled out by Scott Barron’s 26th minute equaliser.

Kenny Jackett opted to go 4-4-2 after his 4-5-1 formation at QPR earned a 0-0 draw at leaders on Tiesday evening.

Danny Schofield was the man to make way, while Theo Robinson got the nod to partner Steve Morison up front.

Darren Carter was back from injury and named as a substitute on Millwall’s 125th birthday.

Lions skipper Paul Robinson came within inches of heading home Barron’s free-kick into the danger zone.

But the game’s big talking point arrived moments later when Carlisle was handed a straight red card for a foul on Theo Robinson after what appeared to be a routine challenge which may not have even warranted a booking.

Morison got on the end of Forde’s 12th minute clearance and beat two Clarets defenders before firing in a low shot which was easily saved by Brian Jensen.

Theo Robinson headed straight at the keeper from six yards after connecting with Hackett’s delivery as Millwall again went close seconds later.

Burnley were forced into making two substitutes within the opening 14 minutes as Dean Marney and Andre Bikey were replaced by Michael Duff and Leon Cort.

Alan Dunne placed a shot wide of the post on 18 minutes after the ball fell kindly to his feet just outside of the area.

But despite Millwall’s early dominance and being down to 10-men, it was Burnley who went in front in the 22nd minute when Chris Eagles’ cross was headed past Forde by Rodriguez.

Tony Craig saw an ambitious attempt to lob Jensen from the left hand edge of the area sail wide of the post.

However, the Lions were back on terms moments in the 26th minute as Morison’s cross was headed down by Theo Robinson into the path of Barron and his shot beat Jensen.

There then followed a lull as neither side were able to create any scoring chances, a situation which clearly suited the 10 men of Burnley more than the hosts.

Craig and Eagles clashed and the Millwall defender picked up a yellow card for his troubles, although Eagles himself was cautioned seconds later while the ball was dead, much to the amusement of the home fans.

Dunne headed straight at Jensen in first half stoppage time but both sides went in on level terms at the end of an entertaining opening 45 minutes.

Schofield replaced Craig at the start of the start of the second half, with Barron dropping back to left back.

Dunne picked up a controversial yellow card on 48 minutes for diving after the Millwall player went to ground while attempting to connect with a corner.

Hackett saw a 52nd minute volley sail harmlessly over the bar and the same player placed a shot straight at Jenson four minutes later.

Paul Robinson headed against the post from six yards after rising high to connect with from a Hackett corner and Dunne fired over from 20 yards in the 62nd minute as Millwall continued to do most of the pressing.

Neil Harris came on for Theo Robinson for the final 21 minutes and the new arrival almost made an instant impact after being picked out unmarked by Morison but the club’s record scorer fired straight at Jensen.

Schofield was also denied by the woodwork on 79 minutes when he went on a run before unleashing a powerful shot which hit the bar with Jensen beaten.

Harris should have done better moments later when he had plenty of time to line up a shot but he took too long and his eventual attempt was blocked.

Burnley had Duff to thank when he put behind Schofield’s low cross with Morison poised to meet it at the far post.

Dunne headed just over from Hackett’s 89th minute corner as Burnley continued to defy the odds and hold out.

But Dunne missed an even easier header on 90 minutes when he placed his effort over from another corner when completely unmarked.

Eagles almost snatched victory in stoppage time with an effort which went just wide but it would have been daylight robbery as the game eventually finished all-square.

Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Robinson, Ward, Craig (Schofield 46), Hackett, Mkandawire, Abdou (Carter 79), Barron, T Robinson (Harris 69), Morison. Subs not used: Mildenhall, Smith, Laird. Att: 12,330