Millwall extended their unbeaten run to three league games as first-half goals from Jed Wallace and George Saville were enough to defeat Middlesbrough at The Den. 

The Lions struck twice in six first-half minutes as firstly Wallace coolly swept pass Darren Randolph, and then on 37 minutes Saville’s pure determination was rewarded as he doubled Millwall’s lead. 

Stewart Downing pulled one back midway through the second-half, but it wasn’t enough as Neil Harris’ side held on. 

Harris made one change from last weeks goalless draw at Villa Park as Jordan Archer returned from illness to replace David Martin. 

The visitors saw a lot of the ball in the opening stages, but it took them 18 minutes before they tested Archer in the Millwall goal. Downing broke away and played a fantastic reverse pass to Patrick Bamford, but he was denied by Archer at his near post. 

Millwall nearly took the lead themselves just minutes later, but Darren Randolph denied Shaun Hutchinson’s powerful header. 

Hutchinson then headed into Lee Gregory’s path not long after, but Randolph somehow kept out the striker’s effort from close-range. 

The home fans became increasingly frustrated by referee Oliver Langford as he booked two Millwall players in quick succession. Firstly, Gregory for dissent and soon after, Romeo, for a foul on Martin Braithwaite. That seemed to spur The Lions on, though, and they took the lead shortly after. 

Ryan Tunnicliffe, having a fine game, found Jed Wallace, who coolly slotted past Darren Randolph in the Boro goal. 

The goal seemed to stun Middlesbrough and they hadn’t recovered before George Saville made it 2-0. Millwall won the ball high up the pitch, Steve Morison cut back for Saville and despite a poor first touch, he managed to bundle his way through before poking home his seventh goal of the season. 

Despite their lack of possession, The Lions were bullying their opponents and deserved to be ahead at the break. 

The visitors halved the deficit on 67 minutes, through Stewart Downing. He left fly from 30-yards and despite Archer getting a hand to it, he couldn’t keep it out, when really it was a straight-forward save. It came from nothing and when Millwall were looking the more likely. 

Steve Morison had a golden chance to seal the win for Millwall but was denied by Randolph when clean through.

He won’t get many better chances to open his account for the season. 

Middlesbrough piled on the pressure late on as the rain came bucketing down at The Den, but Millwall held on for another fine victory.