Aiden O'Brien found the net twice against a poor Sheffield United who struggled to break past the Millwall defence, at the first time United created any real opportunity Jose Baxter despatched in this 2-1 defeat.
Blades boss Nigel Adkins opted to field an unchanged side from which had beaten Fleetwood in midweek for the meeting with Millwall. On the bench however there was just one change, Ryan Flynn replacing Louis Reed.
In the first 45 minutes the home faithful attacked the Kop end and owing to United's success rate in front of the home crowd, it was probably not by choice either. The visitors got off to a glowing start with the first opportunity of the game falling to the fast paced Onyedinma, but his half-volley drifted wide. At the other end United came even close in what was perhaps, until Baxter bulged the net, the Blades best chance to score of the game. Adams, always keen to find his way to goal, fired from the edge of the area, his shot was too good for Archer as the Lions keeper watched the ball wiz past him but clipped the wrong side of the right hand post.
Jamal Campbell-Ryce was kept constantly busy down the right flank and on 13 minutes he was called into action once again, his low cross into the box found Basham but the Vice-Captain, in search of his second goal of the season saw his effort blocked out by Craig.
As the hosts grew in confidence the volume of the crowd increased as they too became more vocal, getting behind their team. With half an hour already played it came as a shock when the visitors took the lead, Onyedinma was given time and space to float a ball into the box from the right and O'BRIEN jumped highest in a three-way battle with McGahey and Collins, his head met the ball and he was fortunate to see it find the top corner past a stretched Mark Howard as it clipped the underside of the bar on its way in.
The home support once again got behind their team in what was a high tempo fixture, much caused due to the referee Andy Haines' inability to award simple decisions, and whilst his judgment lacked in favour of United they were also rewarded with incorrect judgment also. Adams, Sharp, Freeman and Basham were all involved in build-up play but when the ball fell to Done he was reluctant to smash the ball at goal with his weaker left boot and was quickly smothered with a trio of defenders.
Four minutes had elapsed since the visitors had taken the lead and almost doubled their advantage but after Saville fired, Howard was able to push the ball away. Once again the referee made some rather bizarre decisions as the first half drew to a close with the visitors taking a goal advantage into the break.
The presence of Jose Baxter was introduced at half-time, replacing a rather jaded Matt Done. With United now operating a 4-3-3 formation system. Collins headed over Baxter's 52 minute free-kick as the Blades slowly started to create chances in front of goal.
Like a regimental Army, Millwall's defence and midfield were highly disciplined in protecting their own goal as United kept the majority of possession. Sammon was introduced with just over 20 minutes remaining and his presence in attack proved to be an instant menace for the Lions back four, he teed up Baxter who had time to poise himself before his half-volley flashed wide of goal.
The midfielder would prove to be more accrete in his next opportunity in front of goal. Sharp's ball bypassed Adams to an unmarked Freeman and his low cross into the box found BAXTER, with the Liverpudlian sweeping the ball home beyond Archer.
Following the equaliser the Blades pressure decreased, as though they were happy to share the spoils but Millwall capitalised from this and through woeful defending soon re-took the lead. Ferguson broke freely down the left, he skipped past his marker at the far post and his ball squared across goal was bundled home by O'BRIEN with the ball deflecting off both Wallace and Howard.
In need of a goal the home side pilled on more pressure once again but found chances limited against a packed defence, but from Baxter's free-kick Collins again failed to hit the target from his header as the fourth official added four minutes of stoppage time, but in the end United were unable to force the ball home as they succumbed to their third home defeat of the season.
Sheffield United: Howard, Freeman (Flynn 85), Basham, Sharp, Done (Baxter 45), Collins, Campbell-Ryce (Sammon 67), Adams, K Wallace, McGahey, Hammond. Unused: Coutts, Woolford, Long, Kennedy.
Millwall: Archer, Cummings, J Martin, Craig, Gregory (Ferguson 73), Onyedinma (Webster 90), Beevers, Morison, Saville, O'Brien (L Martin 87), Thompson. Unused: Forde, Powell, Romeo, Pavey.