Dominic Blizzard earned a surprise recall for County's tough clash at the New Den.

And Jim Gannon made two other changes with the selection on Anthony Pilkington and Paul Turnbull.

Carl Baker and Gary Dicker dropped down to the bench; Stephen Gleeson missed out through suspension.

Millwall almost took the lead in side 20 seconds. Neil Harris was played in down the right and his low shot brought a good save out of Owain Fon Williams.

The Lions had certainly started the game at a high tempo but they were rocked on 9 minutes when County were so unlucky not to take the lead. Jimmy McNulty picked out Pilkington who cut in from the right and hit a 20-yard left-footed effort that beat David Forde all ends up but bounced to safety off the underside of the bar.

Four minutes later Blizzard and McNulty combined down the left. When the cross came in McSweeney saw his low drive blocked by Tony Craig.

The Hatters were now enjoying a lot of possession and they threatened again on 19 minutes. Rowe found the overlapping McNulty who saw his cross from the left hit Craig and went behind for a corner.

Millwall responded midway through the half when a poor header from McSweeney gave Chris Hackett a chance. Fortunately Tommy Rowe was on hand to block the shot.

McSweeney did a lot better at the other end on 29 minutes when he cut inside Andy Frampton and hit a low drive that was brilliantly blocked by Craig.

A minute later Pilkington and McSweeney set up a chance for Blizzard. The midfielder's shot from 12 yards lacked power, though, and Forde saved.

James Tunnicliffe, who was having an outstanding game at the back, then caused real problems for the home defence with a long throw from the right. Paul Turnbull's volley was then sliced over his own bar by a panicky Craig.

The Lions thought they had taken the lead five minutes before the break with a powerful close-range header from Marc Laird. Fon Williams flung himself to his let to turn the ball onto the post, a fantastic save.

The Welshman was in action again just before half time when he saved Lewis Grabban's free kick.

The half ended controversially when Craig Davies, who had already been booked, needlessly pushed Paul Robinson. It looked another yellow card offence but the referee, Iain Williamson, kept his cards in his pocket.

Davies didn't reappear for the second half being replaced by Matty McNeil.

The first chance after the break came |County's way. Tunnicliffe's long throw found Pilkington who pulled the ball back to Raynes. The skipper's shot was blocked.

The Loins broke at pace with Neil Harris who got behind the Hatters defence but shot over.

County had a let off on 50 minutes when Fon Williams spilled Grabban's shot. The ball broke to Harris. The striker needing one goal to equal Millwall's scoring record held his head in his hands as Tunnicliffe cleared off the line.

Millwall scored what proved to be the winner on 74 minutes. Blizzard was controversially adjudged to have fouled Harris. David Martin smashed the ball through he wall after Gary Alexander appeared to push County defenders out of the way.

The Hatters, backed by more than 500 travelling fans, refused to buckle and, five minutes later, they were denied a penalty after Rowe went down in the box. The County players were furious and protested strongly but the referee refused to award the spot kick.

Harris had another chance to score his record-equalling goal on 84 minutes with a near post chance that forced a save from Fon Williams.

In the final minute County had a great chance to grab a deserved equaliser. Baker's brilliant cross-field pass found McSweeney who cut inside and played the ball into Peter Thompson's feet at the near post. The Irishman's first touch was a little heavy, though, enabling Robinson to clear.