A strike of quality by Antony Sweeney secured an away victory for Hartlepool United at Millwall.

Sweeney shot into the top of the net from 25 yards in the opening stages of the half as Pools won away from Victoria Park for the third time this season.

Pools did have chances to score more than just the one, but at the other end Jan Budtz and his defence were also busy for long periods.

They had three chances in the opening five minutes and, as was the case throughout, if they had their shooting boots on, Pools would have scored more than one.

But Danny Wilson was happy with the outcome and said: "It's not an easy place to come, but it's a result and a performance I am delighted with.

"We defended well and defended more like we did last season when we were keeping a lot of clean sheets. I'm sure there will be a lot more 1-0 results like this one to come.'' Joel Porter created chances and James Brown was a threat throughout on the right flank, causing problems all afternoon with his pace and trickery.

Budtz made two fine saves to keep out Millwall right on half-time and in the second period Micky Nelson cleared a goalbound effort off the line.

MILLWALL: Lenny Pidgley, Denny Senda, Richard Shaw, Paul Robinson, Andy Frampton, Ahmet Brkovic, Alan Dunne, Bryan Hodge, Jay Simpson, Gary Alexander, Jamie O'Hara. Subs: Chris Day, Zak Whitbread, Neil Harris, Ben May, Ali Fusini.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Jan Budtz, Ali Gibb, Micky Nelson, Ben Clark, Ritchie Humphreys, James Brown, Gary Liddle, Antony Sweeney, Andy Monkhouse, Richard Barker, Joel Porter. Subs: Robbie Elliott, Godwin Antwi, Arran Lee-Barrett, Ian Moore, Michael Mackay.

REFEREE: Steven Cook