Millwall 2 Hartlepool United 0

Last updated : 06 September 2008 By Footymad Previewer
Millwall dominated a lacklustre Hartlepool side with a convincing 2-0 win bringing back-to-back home league wins for Kenny Jackett's improving side.

First-half goals from Lewis Grabban and Gary Alexander were enough to secure the points that sees the Lions catapult to seventh in League One with eight points from five games.

The south Londoners were dominant from the very first whistle and had their noses deservedly in front inside three minutes. Neil Harris found Grabban in acres of space down the right-hand side and the striker calmly slotted past the helpless Arran Lee-Barrett off the inside of the far post.

With Danny Wilson's side shell-shocked by the Lions' cracking start, Millwall kept their foot on the accelerator with Harris and Dave Martin going close.

On 38 minutes Pool had their first sight of goal when Joel Porter skewed a shot wide from just two yards out as he reacted to Andy Monkhouse's flick-on.

Within 60 seconds, the Lions had doubled their lead as Alexander nodded home from close range for his first goal of the season and perhaps the easiest of his career.

In a virtual carbon copy of Grabban's opener, the 20-year-old tormented and teased Ritchie Humphreys down the Hartlepool left before Lee-Barrett got a firm hand to his shot, only for Alexander to be on hand to prod into the open net.

Pools raced out of the traps after the back and almost pulled one back on 47 minutes when James Brown latched on to an incisive pass from Porter, but Lions keeper David Forde was quick off his line to close down and smother the danger.

Gary Liddle was lucky to stay on the pitch having hauled down Alexander on 51 minutes with the Lions striker racing into the clear.

Danny Wilson adjusted his formation and personnel as the game petered out at a dismally slow pace. But that suited Jackett's men who comfortably absorbed the infrequent Hartlepool attack

Ashley Grimes was introduced for his league debut in injury time replacing man of the match Grabban, who earned his standing ovation.