Bristol Rovers condemned Millwall to their first League defeat of the season at the Memorial Stadium this afternoon.

A penalty from Jeff Hughes and a 25 yard screamer from Chris Lines saw the home side clinch all three points and return to winning ways.

There were five changes to the Rovers' side that lost on penalties to Hereford in the week. New signings Mark Wright, wearing number 3, and Mikkel Andersen, wearing 27, both made their debuts for the club.

Andersen was rarely tested by the below par Millwall strikers, but will be pleased to come away with a clean sheet in front of the home fans.

Jo Kuffour and Byron Anthony returned to the team following illness and injury, and Danny Coles was recalled after being rested in mid-week.

Rovers made a good start to the afternoon, keen to return to winning ways after losing three games in a week.

Good distribution from Andersen sent Hughes off down the left early on, but Chris Lines was unable to do anything with the pass from Hughes.

The Pirates continued the pressure during a spell involving a number of corners, but Millwall managed to keep out Jo Kuffour who came closest with a headed effort.

Carl Regan and Mark Wright had previous experience of playing together at MK Dons, which allowed them to link up well down the right hand side.

Millwall were a team ravaged by injuries, and it showed in their performance, as they failed to really trouble the Rovers goal.

Aaron Lescott snuffed out a chance from Gary Alexander, before Ashley Grimes forced Andersen to make his first save of the game.

Man of the Match Jeff Hughes came close to opening the scoring when he got on the end of a cross from Chris Lines, but Alan Dunne managed to make the vital block.

But minutes later it was Jeff Hughes who did get the opener for Rovers from the penalty spot. Hughes' charge towards goal was stopped when he was brought down by Andy Frampton, and referee Jon Moss pointed to the spot.

Hughes stepped up and comfortably slotted home the penalty - his second of the season - with his left foot.

Rovers saw out the rest of the first half without any real pressure from the visitors. Millwall lost Dave Martin and Gary Alexander to injury at the start of the second half, and things continued in the same vein, with Rovers controlling the game.

Jo Kuffour played the ball into the feet of Darryl Duffy in the box, but the Scottish striker let fly straight at keeper David Forde.

Millwall could have drawn level thanks to a good piece of movement, but Andersen dived to his right it safely keep out Ashley Grimes' effort.

Then quick work from Andersen led to Bristol Rovers' second goal of the game. The 6ft 5in keeper threw the ball out to Mark Wright who ran with it down the left.

He then played the ball into Hughes who crossed it into the centre of the pitch. Lines then get on the end of a failed clearance from Millwall and let loose with a 25 yard screamer which flew into the back of the net.

Rovers made a couple of changes, bringing on Andy Williams for Darryl Duffy and David Pipe for Mark Wright, which kept the game lively in the last 10 minutes.

The threat of Jeff Hughes nearly produced two more goals for Rovers. The first one game after Lines found Hughes in the box, but the Northern Irishman took a little bit too long to get his shot away.

Then minutes later he latched on to a ball from Dominic Blizzard, on for the final moments of the match, but his shot flew just wide of the right-hand upright.

Rovers now sit forth in the table, and will be looking forward to another home game, against Oldham, next weekend.

Team: Mikkel Andersen, Carl Regan, Danny Coles, Byron Anthony, Aaron Lescott, Mark Wright (David Pipe 72), Stuart Campbell, Chris Lines, Jeff Hughes, Jo Kuffour(Dominic Blizzard 83), Darryl Duffy(Andy Williams 65).

Substitutes not used: Rhys Evans, Steve Elliott, Charlie Reece and Ben Swallow.

Millwall: David Forde, Alan Dunne, Andy Frampton, Scott Barron, Jack Smith, Dave Martin (George Friend 46), Ali Fuseini, Danny Schofield, Nadjim Abdou, Gary Alexander(John Marquis 49), Ashley Grimes.

Substitutes not used: John Sullivan, Adam Bolder, Kiernon Hughes-Mason.

Referee: Mr Jon Moss (West Yorkshire).

Attendance: 6038