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

Japhet Tanganga glanced home a header on fifth minutes to give Millwall the lead at St Mary's and register his first career goal on his 56th senior appearance

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

It was a third defeat in four for Russell Martin's home side - who were unbeaten in 25 before that - as they lost ground on the automatic promotion places.

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 by 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.

Southampton manager Russell Martin told BBC Radio Solent:

"I am furious at the manner of the goals we've conceded. Some of the stuff was good but we have given a team something to hang on to again. It's ridiculous.

"I think it's the softest free-kick in the world for the first one. Two of their tackles were a disgrace but I am not going to blame the referee - we didn't do enough to get back in the game and win.

"We have to stop conceding first. We had a mountain to climb to get into the game. Second half, we have a few big chances but we don't score - if we get the goal I think we go on to win it."

Millwall head coach Neil Harris told BBC Radio London:

"I certainly can't say we battered them from start to finish. I would say that is a very Millwall-like performance against a top, top side at this level with unbelievable individual ability.

"Credit to my players for delivering the game plan, credit to the fans for getting behind us from the start and carrying us through the second half.

"We'd like to have a bit more of the ball, we'd like to be a bit higher up the pitch and have more efforts on goal but you have to pay so much respect to teams like this. We had to do what we had to do get a result. I asked the players to buy-in. Fair play to the group.

"I left Cambridge with a heavy heart after a short tenure but that's why I have come back today - it's the only club I would have left to go to. It's a positive start but it's only a start."