Following their hat-trick of victories over Wigan Athletic, Burnley and Coventry City, West Ham were unchanged as they went in search of a much needed four-timer that would keep their play-off challenge firmly on track.
But in the customary hostile atmosphere that always accompanies a fixture laced with vitriolic rivalry both on and off the pitch, it was Millwall - their own promotion charge having faltered in recent weeks - who looked hungrier in the opening stages.
Indeed, as the Hammers were still settling into their stride, Barry Hayles fired an angled 18-yarder across the diving James Walker's left-hand post before then going close with his second effort.
And it was to prove third time lucky for the Millwall striker.
For when Kevin Muscat intercepted Nigel Reo-Coker's recklessly taken quick free-kick, Hayles raced behind the dozing Anton Ferdinand and drew the exposed Walker before bagging his 11th league goal of the season from the tightest of angles.
Quite simply, West Ham did not look at the races in this high noon derby.
But ten minutes before the break, they somehow managed to conjure up an equaliser with their only really incisive attack of the day when Matthew Etherington's pass was chested back into his path by former Lion Teddy Sheringham.
Upon collecting the return, the left-winger sent a low ball into the danger area where Marlon Harewood scuffed an eight-yard shot beyond the diving Andy Marshall to claim his 18th league and cup goal of the season and send the teams in all-square at the interval.
Buoyed by that leveller, West Ham emerged for the second period the brightest and on the hour, Harewood almost grabbed a second but his acrobatic overhead kick was tipped over by the alert Millwall keeper at the expense of a corner.
In an effort to rediscover some attacking impetus, Dennis Wise replaced scorer Hayles with Paul Ifill and then Josh Simpson came on for Jody Morris, but it was to make little difference.
And while West Ham also tried to step it up with the introduction of Bobby Zamora, in a game of few chances, neither he nor Sheringham - who had scored in each of his last six outings - could muster up the goal that would have turned one useful point into a vital Hammers victory.