Millwall 1 Northampton 0

The striker had dispatched the only goal in a 1-0 win over Southend a week ago, and he popped up again to bury James Henry's great low cross and send Millwall level on points with MK Dons. The Dons, however, have a game in hand.

Having nicked a win with an injury time goal at the weekend, on-loan Reading winger Henry was again a major threat, this time tormenting the Northampton defence in a first half that Millwall easily dominated.

The absence of suspended striker Adebayo Akinfenwa left the Cobblers short of options up front, and they could have conceded more in the opening 45 minutes. Jimmy Abdou passed up the Lions' best opportunity just before the goal, missing from close range after meeting a delivery from Henry.

The winger might have bagged a goal himself just after the hour mark, but his header from Dave Martin's cross edged just past the post.

Millwall were forced to cling to their lead in the later stages, but substitute Colin Larkin aimed just wide with less than 20 minutes to go, and Jason Crowe fired over from long range.

There was more good news for Lions fans after the game, with the announcement that James Henry had extended his loan spell at the Den for another two months. The extension will cover the period up to and including the play-off semi-final.

Henry, who has scored three goals since arriving from Reading, was due to return to the Royals after Saturday's top-of-the-table clash against Leicester City.

Millwall: Forde, Frampton, Whitbread, Alexander (Grimes 90), Henry, Duffy (Barron 73), Craig, Martin, Laird (Harris 76), Abdou, Bolder

Subs Not Used: Pidgeley, Fuseini

Goals: Alexander 35

Northampton: Dunn, Crowe, Jackman, Hughes (Larkin 71), Doig, Magney, Coke, Constantine, Holt (Anya 55), Osman, Guttridge (Davis 55)

Subs Not Used: Walker, Rodgers

Att: 6,685