Southampton 1-2 Millwall: Saints stunned in Neil Harris’ first match back in dugout for the Lions

Neil Harris made a winning return as Millwall stunned Championship play-off contenders Southampton at St Mary’s.

Japhet Tanganga’s brave header was cancelled out by Che Adams in the first half but Zian Flemming’s penalty just before the break proved the difference.

Millwall had lost their last four, leading to Joe Edwards’ departure in midweek, but incoming boss Harris – starting his second spell in charge – steered the Lions to their first win at Southampton since victory at The Dell in August 1989.

Harris made four changes to the Millwall side and they drew first blood after just five minutes when Tanganga put the visitors ahead with his first career goal, beating keeper Gavin Bazunu to George Saville’s free-kick and looping a header into the unguarded net.

Tanganga was booked for a challenge on Ryan Fraser, which saw the Scot limp off on his 30th birthday, and the Spurs loanee also cleared an Adams header off the line and produced a goal-saving challenge on Stuart Armstrong, all within the opening 25 minutes.

Adams eventually equalised after 34 minutes as he rose highest to head Armstrong’s cross past Lions keeper Matija Sarkic, but from then on Saints could not turn their possession into clear openings.

Ryan Longman fired off target as the Lions sought a swift response but they did not have long to wait as Michael Obafemi’s shot struck the hand of Jan Bednarek after 44 minutes, allowing Flemming to fire in off the post from the penalty spot for his seventh goal of the season.

Saints were also behind at the break in Tuesday’s defeat to Hull and they tried to mount a comeback after the turnaround as Kyle Walker-Peters beat his man before firing too close to Sarkic while Adams blazed over from close range after a cross from the recalled David Brooks.

Armstrong could not connect with Jack Stephens’ cross to the back post while Joe Rothwell fired straight at Sarkic with 20 minutes remaining and an Armstrong header looped on to the roof of the net as Saints’ desperation grew.

With the seconds running out, Sarkic ensured the points as he clawed Armstrong’s goalbound header away from the bottom corner and ended Millwall’s eight-match winless streak against the Saints in the process.