NEIL Harris made a winning return as Millwall manager with a vital 2-1 success at promotion-chasing Southampton.
Japhet Tanganga’s fifth minute header put the visitors in front, only for Che Adams to restore parity on 34 minutes.
But the Lions were awarded a 44th minute penalty after Michael Obafemi’s attempt was handled by Jan Bednarek and Zian Flemming slotted home what proved to be the winner.
Harris named five changes from the side tamely beaten 2-0 seven days ago by Sheffield Wednesday, as Danny McNamara, Billy Mitchell, George Saville, Ryan Longman and Obafemi all returned to the starting XI.
The Lions made the perfect start when Tanganga bravely got in front of Saints keeper Gavin Banzunu to head home from Saville’s fifth minute free-kick.
Tanganga required a spell of treatment for his scoring exploits but was soon thankfully back on his feet.
Millwall were certainly showing no lack of commitment in the early exchanges, as you would expect from a Harris side, with George Honeyman and Tanganga both picking up yellow cards by the 13th minute.
Che Adams’ header was blocked by Tanganga as the hosts began to ask some questions following that early setback.
But it was the Lions who almost added a second when a quick counter attack ended with McNamara’s 17th minute effort flying agonisingly wide.
David Brooks went close with a shot from the edge of the area but Southampton’s pressure finally paid off on 34 minutes, Adams heading past Matija Sarkic to draw the hosts back on terms after meeting Armstrong’s delivery.
Jake Cooper was perfectly placed to hack the danger clear from Brooks’ goal-bound attempt but it was Millwall who restored their advantage a minute before the break.
Obafemi’s shot was handled in the box by Bednarek, prompting referee Thomas Bramall to point straight to the spot and Flemming made no mistake with the penalty.
Obafemi made way for Tom Bradshaw at the beginning of the second half as Harris made his first change.
Southampton came close to equalising again within five minutes of the restart as Adams fired over from six yards.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy entered the fray just after the hour in place of Longman as the Lions continued to look fairly comfortable at this stage.
Saints always posed a threat and Matija Sarkic was perfectly placed to save Joe Rothwell’s 69th minute shot and then substitute Adam Armstrong headed harmlessly over from a decent position.
Flemming’s attempt from 20 yards produced a stop from Bazunu and Samuel Edozie picked up a yellow card for a late lunge on Flemming shortly before the penalty hero was replaced by Casper De Norre.
Sarkic made a top save to keep out Adam Armstrong’s 88th minute header before five added minutes were signalled.
But the Lions held on comfortably to collect a memorable three points and give Harris the ideal start to life back at The Den.
Southampton: 4-3-3: Bazunu; Harwood-Bellis, Stephens (Manning 71), Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Aribo (Rothwell 60), Smallbone, S Armstrong; Brooks (Sulemana 71), Adams (A Armstrong 59), Fraser (Edozie 19).
Millwall: 4-2-3-1: Sarkic; Leonard, Cooper, Tanganga, McNamara; Mitchell, Saville; Honeyman, Flemming (De Norre 86), Longman (Norton-Cuffy 62); Obafemi (Bradshaw 46). Att: 30,629.