First-half goals from Lewis Grabban and Paul Robinson sent Millwall joint top of the League One table with a hard-fought victory at Colchester's Community Stadium.
This was The Lions fourth successive away win, and eighth in the last nine league games - but few of those victories will have proved quite as nerve-wracking for the travelling fans.
Having established a 2-0 advantage courtesy of efforts from Grabban (8mins) and Robinson (22mins), Kenny Jackett's side were pegged back when Kem Izzet reduced the arrears after 34 minutes, and then had to withstand a second-half onslaught to hold on for three priceless points.
If Saturday's 3-1 victory against Leeds saw The Lions at their attacking best, this match was all about winning ugly with blocks, tackles and sheer hard graft ultimately denying The U's a first league success in their new stadium.
Boss Jackett made a couple of changes to his starting XI with Tresor Kandol back in for the injured Gary Alexander whilst Chris Hackett returned at right-back. Tony Craig switched over to the left and Andy Frampton dropped to the bench.
United, who had not won in their five previous League One home matches, had the first attempt on goal after three minutes. A long Paul Reid freekick was half cleared by the visiting defence, but the ball fell invitingly for Izzet and his first-time drive flashed narrowly wide.
The deadlock was broken just five minutes later courtesy of a huge helping hand - or should that be boot? - from David Perkins. Under no pressure at all, the U's midfielder played a sloppy cross-field pass around 30 yards out. Grabban was the first to react and quick as a flash had latched onto the loose ball, before striding forward and giving keeper Dean Gerken no chance with a clinical finish.
Millwall doubled their advantage on 22 minutes when Marc Laird, having been booked for twice taking a free-kick on the right too quickly, made sure that the third time counted. His deep delivery from the right picked out Robinson, and he in turn planted a firm header past the stranded Gerken.
Robinson was denied a second goal - and Millwall a third - after 28 minutes with a bullet header from Craig's corner that was brilliantly tipped over the bar, although to the astonishment of both teams referee Grant Hegley awarded a goalkick instead of a corner.
Colchester gradually began to ask questions of the visiting defence and when Sunday Wasiu capitalised on a slip by the otherwise impeccable Zak Whitbread, the big forward really should have done better than tickle keeper David Forde's hands with a woefully tame shot.
But just two minutes later Forde had his hands on the ball, unfortunateluy this time it was picking it out of the back of the net after Izzet thumped home John White's cross from close range.
Millwall came close to restoring their two-goal cushion on the stroke of half-time, but a great move involving Neil Harris, Hackett and Jimmy Abdou ended with the midfielder's rasping drive flying just wide.
It proved to be backs-to-the-wall stuff for The Lions for much of the second half as Colchester pushed on in increasing numbers in a frantic search for an equaliser.
Keeper Forde was at his athletic best to tip Mark Yeates' goalbound shot away for a corner at full stretch, the fourth of 10 corners clocked up by the home side to Millwall's one.
Jackett's side had a lucky let-off on 57 minutes when Izzet's cross took a massive deflection, looped up, hit the bar and looked destined to drop in to the back of the net. But in almost slow-motion, the ball hung in the air long enough for Craig to somehow clear, despite howls of protest from the home fans who were convinced the ball had crossed the line.
Clive Platt saw a 63rd-minute shot-on-the-turn fly over the bar as The U's continued to try and find a way through, but Millwall were in resolute mood and worked tireleslly to protect their lead.
In fact twice in the last 10 minutes Jackett's men could have added to their tally. First, when a breathtaking run from Martin virtually the length of the field was halted by the boot of Reid, who got a touch on the ball to clear as the winger was about to pull the trigger.
Then with four minutes of normal time remaining, Kandol's deft flick on to Jermaine Easter saw the latter's fierce low drive held by Gerken at the second attempt.
Despite an additional, tense, four minutes of injury-time, Colchester by then had run out of ideas - and heart - as there was quite simply going to be no way through the Millwall rearguard.
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Millwall 1-1 Southend United 16-08-2008by MillwallFCHighlights4,325 views
deano is crap
TheBondiBoi 2 years ago
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no one likes us we dont care ........
millwallyouth090809 2 years ago
mill are dirty cunts
MRuglyy 2 years ago
Millwall all the way
12345conor54321 2 years ago