CHERRIES grabbed their first win at Millwall in 13 years and extended to four points their lead at the top of the Championship courtesy of a hard-earned 2-0 victory at the Den.

A penalty from the recalled Yann Kermorgant and a fifth goal in as many league games from birthday boy Harry Arter increased to 14 matches Cherries’ unbeaten league run.

Cherries had last won at Millwall in 2001 – when now-management duo Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall were in the starting XI – and the Dean Court side were made to fight hard by tenacious opposition, who finished with 10 men.

After selecting the same starting XI for four games in a row, boss Howe brought in Adam Smith on the left wing, while Kermorgant replaced Brett Pitman up front.

For their part, Millwall made no fewer than seven changes with academy graduate Sid Nelson handed a debut in the heart of the defence.

Cherries created the first opportunity inside two minutes when Callum Wilson was hauled down 25 yards out and keeper David Forde was forced to parry to safety Kermorgant’s curling free-kick.

Artur Boruc spilled Martyn Woolford’s right-wing cross and the visitors had further cause for concern as Nelson headed wide a free-kick from Lee Martin.

Former Cherries man Scott Malone supplied the teasing cross that was a fraction too far ahead of Martin as Millwall’s energy and purpose continued to cause Cherries problems.

A looping Kermorgant header in the 26th minute proved a regulation take for Forde as he snuffed out a rare chance for the visitors.

The home side’s greater hunger in the first quarter was exemplified when Martin robbed skipper Tommy Elphick on the halfway line and only the quick thinking of Boruc prevented a one-on-one situation, the Pole smashing clear the loose ball.

It was against the run of play that Cherries took the lead in the 32nd minute. Daniels was brought down by Martin on the edge of the box and – much to Millwall’s consternation – referee David Coote deemed the challenge was inside the area, with Kermorgant smashing home the penalty.

Elphick made a crucial intervention to cut out a low cross soon after and three minutes before the break, the lead was doubled.

Wilson pulled back from the dead-ball line and Arter, on his 25th birthday, did well to control before lashing into the left corner and running the length of the pitch to celebrate with the travelling fans.

There was more to come as the already-booked Forde beat Smith to a loose ball and then ill-advisedly voiced his annoyance at Wilson when the frontman went to challenge on the follow-up.

Millwall manager Ian Holloway threw on veteran striker Ricardo Fuller for the start of the second half and the home side were soon threatening when Lee Gregory lifted over the top.

An even better chance followed as Martin teed up Jimmy Abdou on the right but his swerving cross was a whisker out of reach for the diving Gregory.

Former Everton midfielder Dan Gosling was brought on in favour of Kermorgant as visiting boss Eddie Howe attempted to exert control in midfield.

Arter and Wilson both had drives charged down before Boruc was again swiftly out, this time thumping clear as Gregory closed in.

The lead might have become three when Marc Pugh crossed low to fellow sub Gosling but the summer signing dragged his shot agonisingly wide of the left upright.

Midfielder Shaun Williams made the hosts’ task near-impossible with 10 minutes left when he was shown a straight red card for retaliating to a Wilson challenge, with the Cherries man booked for his part in the incident.

Gosling and Ritchie both had shots charged down in the closing stages before Elphick’s superbly-timed challenge on Magaye Gueye prevented the sub from pulling the trigger.

Arter skied a glorious chance for a third in the dying embers but victory was already effectively assured.

MATCH FACTS

Millwall: Forde; Wilkinson (Fuller, h-t), Shittu (Dunne, 67), Nelson, Malone; Williams, Abdou; Woolford, McDonald, Martin (Gueye, 56); Gregory.

Unused subs: Beevers, Upson, Easter, King (g/k).

Booked: Shittu, Forde, Wilkinson, McDonald.

Sent-off: Williams.

Cherries: Boruc; Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels; Ritchie (Fraser, 88), Arter, Surman, Smith (Pugh, 69); Kermorgant (Gosling, 58), Wilson.

Unused subs: Cargill, Pitman, Rantie, Camp (g/k).

Booked: Surman, Smith, Wilson.

Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire).