Kenny Jackett hits the jackpot after Darius Henderson gamble

Winner: Darius Henderson
Ian Gibb11 April 2012

Darius Henderson may not be the subtlest of strikers. More the crash, bash, in your face type.
But his all important goal last night, Millwall's third, could have been choreographed at Sadlers Wells, rather than hewn out of the New Den.

He climbed to get the most delicate of glancing headers to Hameur Bouazza's floated free-kick and send the ball arcing inside the far left post.

A good job, too, as Billy Sharp immediately completed a double for rock bottom Doncaster Rovers and Millwall had to hang on for a few nervous minutes to complete a 3-2 win and put a little much needed distance between themselves and the bottom three.

Stand-in captain Liam Trotter had already hit a double but it was Henderson's ninth goal of the season that proved decisive - and he came off the bench to do it.

Manager Kenny Jackett explained: "He hasn't done much training since last week, after injury. We just got him in this afternoon and gave him a fitness test. I said to him that if he passed the test he could be a substitute, come on and score the winner!

"That's exactly what happened. We both felt he had a decent half-hour in him and he created quite a number of chances. He held the ball up well. He does make a difference - and knows it now. Whereas some players are a work in progress, he's comfortable in this division."

This was a crucial test for the Lions against a curious mish-mash of a Doncaster side still bearing the remnants of their 'Arsenal of the Championship' side under previous boss Sean O'Driscoll, plus the band of mercenary loan players brought in under new manager Dean Saunders.

They made life uncomfortable for Millwall, until John Marquis forced Brian Stock to bring him down and Trotter stuck away the 24th minute penalty.

Scott Barron's push on Sharp gave the striker a penalty which he blasted into the roof of the net in the 39th minute, but a neat one-two between Trotter and Jack Smith ended with the former's shot under Rovers keeper Carl Ikeme for 2-1 before half-time. Shane Lowry also had to make a remarkable goal-line clearance from Marc-Antoine Fortune, before himself hitting a post in the second-half.

Henderson came on with 30 minutes left, and combined with fellow sub Bouazza to make it 3-1, before Sharp headed in Kyle Bennett's cross.

Jackett added: "It was a first class result, we deserved the win on chances and it's been a good four days after our away draw in the derby with Crystal Palace making four points out of six.

"There's been a bit of a transition in the team with several people looking for their confidence - we're nearly there, nearly breaking through. There is still lots to work on.

"It's still tight down at the bottom with a gap only from the last two clubs. Our main aim is to keep looking after performances and keep players improving. If we do that, results will follow."

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