Peter Clarke's wry smile and shake of the head in the face of some sustained abuse from the New Den’s main stand said it all.
Town were on their way to a first win of the Championship campaign – and both the skipper and the unhappy home supporters sensed it.
Clarke was re-entering the field of play after having treatment following a challenge by Steve Morison, the cut on the bridge of his nose making a mockery of Millwall fans’ claims he had gone down too easily.
That’s not in the centre-back’s make-up, but resolute defending certainly is, and there was plenty of that on show from the whole team following James Vaughan’s 58th-minute headed goal.
Millwall, with a particularly partisan atmosphere at both the original and current Dens, has never been a happy hunting ground for Town – they were thumped 4-0 there last season – so there was extra satisfaction at only a fourth win in 21 visits.
And a four-point tally and 12th position in the embryonic table ahead of Saturday’s renewal of acquaintance with Bournemouth provides a reflection of the ongoing development of Mark Robins’ new passing game.
Millwall were without a point and without a goal in 526 minutes of league football, and looked understandably eager for change.
And Town, again playing 3-5-2, with fit-again midfielder Jonathan Hogg for Oscar Gobern the only change after the 1-1 home draw with QPR, were up against it in the early stages.
The home fans were making a real din, but Town stood firm and worked their way into the game, with Adam Hammill a revelation at right wing-back, catching the eye along with midfielder Ollie Norwood, who looks to have gained real confidence from a victorious 10th cap for Northern Ireland.
Striker Martin Paterson, possibly feeling the effects of the encounter with Russia in Belfast, where he was on target and outstanding, wasn’t quite as effective as Norwood, although it wasn’t for the want of trying.
And Town’s current reliance on Vaughan for goals – he has notched all four so far this season – is a nagging concern, particularly since the former Norwich frontman again finished a game clutching his ribs.
However chances are being created, and the records show there are players in the side other than Vaughan capable of taking them.
Meanwhile a first clean sheet of the campaign, preserved by an all-round outfield effort and a fine late save from Alan Dunne by Alex Smithies, was a crucial plus.
Clarke’s duel with Morison, the Wales international striker back at Millwall on a season-long loan from Leeds, provided an attention-grabbing sub-plot, while Anthony Gerrard made a string of telling challenges and Joel Lynch more than held his own in terms of the physical contest.
Hammill, his replacement Calum Woods (back earlier than anticipated after a collar bone injury) and Jake Carroll, who played the full 90 on the left, all played key wide roles.
And top marks to the ever-brave Vaughan, who got the better of tall defenders Danny Shittu and Mark Beevers to convert Hammill’s corner.
