Ten-man Town racked up their first away win of the season as they defeated Millwall 2-1 at the Den. Darren Currie put the Blues ahead in the first half but Ben May hit back for the home side prior to Richard Naylor's sending off, but Sam Parkin headed the winner with 10 minutes remaining.
Boss Joe Royle lined up his side with a five-man midfield, Sam Parkin, wearing a bandage on his facial injury, the lone man up front. Dean McDonald dropped to the bench with Westlake and Currie wide in midfield, Horlock and Garvan in holding roles behind playmaker Jim Magilton. The Town defence continues to pick itself.
Millwall's David Livermore hit the first shot of the game, his strike from the right flying wide. Alan Dunne picked up a yellow card in only the fifth minute for his second poor tackle on Ian Westlake.
Town might have gone ahead in the seventh minute, Wilnis flicking on a Currie corner but Parkin just failing to get the final touch at the far post.
Former Town keeper Andy Marshall applauded a less than complimentary chant from Blues supporters in the 11th minute, shortly before Kevin Horlock was yellow-carded somewhat harshly for a foul on Barry Hayles, the Town man appearing to have won the ball cleanly.
Three minutes later the Blues were in front. Marshall kicked poorly straight to Magilton who threaded in Currie who dinked the ball over the advancing keeper, before celebrating by rocking an imaginary baby in his arms, the midfielder having become a father earlier in the month.
Two minutes later Parkin's strength won the ball on the edge of the Millwall box, the former Swindon man laying the ball off to Magilton who shot over the bar. Soon after, Westlake hit a low effort which gave Marshall little problem.
Carlos Fangueiro sent a freekick over the bar from the Millwall left in the 21st minute but Town were enjoying the better of the game.
On 27 the Blues should have gone two goals up. Parkin, who had by now discarded his bandage, used his strength to hold off Mark Phillips but Marshall saved his initial shot. The Town striker got back onto the ball and made himself space but hit his low shot wide of the post. Magilton's snapshot was deflected over as the half entered its final 10 minutes.
Fabian Wilnis received a yellow card for handball in the 37th minute, referee Mark Halsey appearing to bow to the pressure put on him by a number of Millwall players after initially appearing to be satisfied only to award a freekick.
With two minutes left until the break, former Millwall loanee Richard Naylor headed Currie's corner across the face of goal.
No changes for the Blues at the break, Town having been comfortably the better side with Millwall having failed to trouble Price with anything resembling a shot on goal. As a result, the Lions made two substitutions, Jody Morris and Carlos Fangueiro making way for Marvin Elliott and former Colchester loanee Ben May.
Andy Marshall took his place in goal below the Town support, smiling as he did so while songs rang out in his honour.
Millwall improved after the break and enjoyed the greater control of the game in the early stages but without creating any decent opportunities, Hayles managing to get flagged offside or fouling a Town defender at the culmination of most of their spells of possession.
Town's first decent chance of the half saw Currie cross to the far post for Magilton but a defender headed out of play in front of him. The Town skipper complained that the former Brighton man had taken too long to get the ball in the box and he and a number of other players had been better placed for an earlier ball.
Referee Halsey unnecessarily pulled play back for a foul with Currie taking the ball into the box in the 65th minute, the midfielder having ridden two illegal tackles. Currie took the kick himself and sent a dangerous ball across the area which eluded everyone.
The Blues were once again back on top but on 69 Millwall got back on terms completely against the run of play. Ben May was found by a Marshall long kick 25 yards out and took one touch before lashing a left-footed shot into the top corner of the net giving Lewis Price no chance. It was a superb goal but one which was thoroughly undeserved on the balance of play.
A minute later, May and Hayles combined and the former Bristol Rovers and Fulham man had the ball in the net, however he had once again been flagged offside.
Garvan struck a low shot which Marshall for once claimed comfortably, before Joe Royle swapped skipper Jim Magilton for Dean McDonald, the youngster joining Sam Parkin up front.
Sito's low volley from 20 yards failed to test Marshall, prior to Town being dealt a big blow. Hayles chased a ball over the top and appeared to pull Naylor back as he entered the area, the Town defender putting himself between the striker and the ball.
Hayles claimed he had been fouled and referee Halsey agreed with him. The Town defenders were livid at the decision, and were even more so when a red card was produced, Naylor's first of his Town career. Garvan was sacrificed for Aidan Collins as the Blues switched a 4-4-1 formation, Millwall wasting the freekick.
In the 80th minute Price did well to save from May down to his left, a minute before the Blues went back in front. A patient build-up led to Currie whipping a cross into the six-yard box where Parkin bravely headed in off the bar giving Marshall little chance.
Town repelled everything Millwall threw at them in the remaining minutes. Price did well to tip Hayles's dipping deflected shot over the bar and then Richards cleared May's header from a corner off the line. Jimmy Juan replaced Currie, Town's man of the match, as the game entered the final minute of normal time.
Millwall felt strongly they should have had a penalty in the first minute of injury time when Wilnis and Josh Simpson clashed and the Canadian international went to ground. However, referee Halsey evidently decided he had been generous enough to the home side earlier in the afternoon.
Westlake stopped a Hayles effort on the line, then Price saved from sub Don Hutchison but the Blues hung on for a vital away three points. As the Millwall players surrounded the referee at the final whistle, Barry Hayles received the yellow card he had deserved much earlier in the afternoon.
A much improved away performance from the Blues, keeping hold of the ball far better than they had at QPR and Leicester and creating more chances. Parkin still shows signs that he is not yet quite adjusted to this level of football but netted the winner bravely and clinically.
Richard Naylor's red card is a blow the Blues could have done without, the 28-year-old will miss Monday's home game with Preston North End unless Town appeal. Otherwise, Aidan Collins looks in line to make his first league start.
Currie was Town's most dangerous player throughout, in probably his most complete performance in a Blue shirt. The Millwall defence found it impossible to deal with his tricks and stood off him when he ran at them, while his crosses were always dangerous.
Town: Price, Sito, Richards, Wilnis, Naylor, Magilton (McDonald 72), Westlake, Currie (Juan 90), Horlock, Garvan (Collins 76), Parkin. Unused: Supple, Peters. Att: 8,277.