Millwall 1 Scunthorpe 2

Millwall and Scunthorpe started off the day level on 50 points, although the home team had the advantage of two games in hand. The Den faithful hoped to see their side avenge a 3-2 loss at Glanford Park in October, and their side were quickest out of the blocks in the opening minutes.

Lewis Grabban struck a hefty drive over the bar on eight minutes, while Alexander tested Scunthorpe's defence with two efforts. David Martin nearly smacked in the opener after a deft run through the opposition back-line, missing by mere inches with a powerful shot. But Millwall's afternoon took a sour turn when Grabban was forced to leave the field with an injury on 25 minutes.

Captain Paul Robinson followed him to the physio's room at half time with a reported broken bone in his foot, giving Zak Whitbread a chance to take the field.

On-loan Charlton striker Izale McLeod also got a run out on 63 minutes in place of Neil Harris, and one of his first acts was to celebrate a Millwall goal. Adam Bolder marked his first game since his permanent move from QPR with a slick challenge near the halfway line. The midfielder found Alexander in space, allowing the striker to aim a daisy-cutting shot into the opposite corner beyond the grab of Joe Murphy.

Scunthorpe equalised just under ten minutes later when Paul Hayes whacked a poor clearance from a corner straight back at goal. His shot may well have been going wide, but Hooper was lurking at the far post and nudged the ball home from very close range.

With Millwall looking to re-establish their lead, Scunthorpe took advantage of the home team's pressure upfield. Garry Thompson floated a long looping through-ball to Hooper, who broke away from his man and calmly curled home a shot from the edge of the area.

News from the treatment room is that Millwall captain Paul Robinson will spend six weeks on the sidelines, while Lewis Grabban could miss a fortnight with hamstring trouble.

Manager Kenny Jackett said: "We had our chances and it was a big game for us. We've been caught out twice so obviously it's a disappointment.

"I think we had the better of the clear-cut chances but finishing is a huge part of the game, so we can't bemoan our luck."

Millwall: Forde, Craig, Frampton, Dunne, Robinson (Whitbread 46), Bolder, Harris (McLeod 63), Laird, Grabban (Hackett 26), Alexander, Martin

Subs not used: Pidgeley, Abdou.

Booked: Laird

Goals: Alexander 64

Scunthorpe: Murphy, Byrne, Pearce, Mirfin, Wright, Thompson (Hurst 90), Sparrow, McCann, Woolford (Morris 79), Hayes (Togwell 76), Hooper

Subs not used: Slocombe, Lea

Goals: Hooper 7,388

Attendance: 8,868