Luke Cundle’s first-half goal gave Millwall a 1-0 win at Sheffield United, extending their opponents’ losing start to the season to four games.
The home side put in a much-improved performance in the second half, but they were unable to find a way past Steven Benda.
United boss Ruben Selles named new signing Ben Godfrey in his starting line-up after signing the central defender on a season-long loan from Italian club Atalanta.
The visitors were the first to threaten when Ryan Leonard drove only just over the crossbar.
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Luke Cundle celebrates with team-mate Mihailo Ivanovic after giving Millwall the lead at Sheffield United
Camiel Neghli then put an effort from around 20 yards out a fraction over Michael Cooper’s bar.
As Millwall continued to press, Leonard found himself in space on the right and squared to Cundle, whose shot from edge of area was turned over by Cooper.
The goal came in the 38th-minute when the ball was headed on by Mihailo Ivanovic into the path of Cundle, who fired past Cooper.
Josh Coburn went close to putting the visitors further ahead in time added on at the end of the half when his shot took a deflection off Tyler Bindon, with the ball going inches wide of Cooper’s left-hand post.
The home side’s first attack of note came early in the second half when Louie Barry forced a good save from Benda, down low to his right.
Following the resulting corner, Sydie Peck saw his goal-bound header cleared.
Ivanovic had a good opportunity when Josh Coburn played the ball back to him inside the area but his shot failed to test Cooper.
United substitute Andre Brooks carved out an opening when he made a good run down the right and played the ball to Callum O’Hare, whose effort went beyond Benda’s right-hand post.
Benda then came to his side’s rescue, stretching to keep out Gustavo Hamer’s curling shot with a fine save.
Cooper had to make a save at the other end, beating away an Ivanovic shot at his near post.
The hosts went close again when Harrison Burrows received the ball from Hamer and fired in a shot which struck the inside of Benda’s right-hand post but failed to go in.
A further chance fell to Tyrese Campbell, who saw his header blocked on the line by Tristan Crama.
While encouraged by his side’s improved showing in the second period, Selles will be concerned at their failure to avoid a fourth straight defeat.
The home supporters made their feelings clear, with the final whistle sparking a chorus of boos.
The managers
Sheffield United’s Ruben Selles:
“The first 10 minutes, we were on top of the game, trying to create, trying to generate, being aggressive.
“I think we lost a little bit of organisation and started to lose duels in the middle of the pitch, allowing perhaps too much in the first half. And then we conceded a goal after a corner.
“I think we can recognise the team that we were in the second half, going for the game, playing, attacking, creating situations to score.
“And yeah, we are in the situation right now where all those situations are not going in our favour so we will need to keep fighting.
“I think if we talk about transfer window, change, new project, all those things, we will be making excuses. I think what we are missing is to make a robust performance for 90-95 minutes.
“To be the team that we want to be in terms of connections, in terms of football, in terms of defensive passion, in terms of attacking, aggression, that we want to be for a full entire game, not only in moments of the game.”
Millwall’s Alex Neil:
“Sheffield United are a good side, aren’t they? I know it’s been a difficult start for them but what they’ve got, they’re a good team.
“Most of these players last year finished the season really strongly, finished with 92 points, something ridiculous like that.
“We needed our goalkeeper to make I think two great saves, one from Hamer, one from Barry down to his other corner.
“But certainly for us you could see how light we are today in terms of personnel. We were stretched to the max.
“There was going to be a spell where it was going to be backs against the wall, defend your box, do the basics, and, yeah, relying on your goalkeeper at times. And that’s how it panned out.
“We’re just delighted we got the win. I think when this team, when this club’s got adversity against us, it’s probably when we’re at our best. I thought today was a typical Millwall performance where everything’s against us and we managed to dig one out.”