Esse goal condemns another loss on their

IT IS still just one point and one goal for Plymouth Argyle on their Championship travels this season after a 1-0 defeat by Millwall at The Den.c

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

Wayne Rooney's Pilgrims dropped to 21st position in the table after losing for the fifth time out of six games on the road as their concerning run of away results continued.

It was an improved performance compared to their 5-0 defeat at Cardiff City on Saturday, although that would not have been difficult given how bad they were then. However, it was not enough to gain any reward from their trip to south London.

Millwall went ahead in the 13th minute with a fine low finish from Romain Esse after Bali Mumba had been caught in possession - and that turned out to be the winning goal.

Argyle were solid enough defensively after that and although Millwall threatened to extend their lead during a good spell at the start of the second half they failed to do so. The Pilgrims just could not come up with a clear cut chance of their own to draw level.

Ibrahim Cissoko started a three game suspension after his red card against Cardiff as Argyle's team to play Millwall showed three changes from the crushing defeat in South Wales.

Mustapha Bundu was not included in the matchday squad at Cardiff but was chosen by Wayne Rooney to replace Cissoko in the wide left attacking role. The other two changes saw Ryan Hardie take over up front from Michael Obafemi and Callum Wright replaced Rami AI Hajj.

Millwall gave a full Championship debut to 19-year-old Serbian striker Mihailo Ivanovic after he came off the bench and scored their late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at home to Derby County on Saturday.

Macaulay Langstaff made way for him, while Femi Azeez came into the Lions' line-up for Duncan Watmore.

Plymouth-born Argyle youth product Ryan Leonard was at rightback for Millwall, who had not lost in 17 home league games against the Pilgrims since they were beaten 2-1 in January 1967.