Bristol City 0 Millwall 3

Championship new-boys Millwall gate-crashed City’s opening-day party in spectacular fashion to silence Ashton Gate.

Billed as the beginning of the Steve Coppell era, the match also saw England number one David James make his much-anticipated debut.

But Bristolian expectations were sent crashing as the Lions completed a stunning hit-and-run raid to ruin Coppell’s big day.

Darren Ward fired Millwall in front just before half time and further goals from Danny Schofield and Paul Robinson inside 11 minutes at the start of the second period settled it.

Worse followed for City, who saw new loan signing Sam Vokes carried off on a stretcher just 13minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Both sides were reduced to 10 men, Darren Carter being dismissed for two yellow cards and City debutant Damion Stewart following him back to the dressing room for a foul committed deep into time added on.

The James effect was plain for all to see as City’s opening game sold out an hour before kick-off. Not surprisingly, England’s World Cup goalkeeper was the centre of attention and received a rapturous ovation from home fans, who cheered his every touch.

Although he did not have to make a meaningful save until the 30th minute, the 40-year-old was kept busy as the Lions, determined to show the Championship what they are about, made the better start.

With wingers Danny Schofield and James Henry to the fore and last season’s 23-goal top-scorer, Steve Morison, providing a marauding presence in attack, Millwall forced their opponents to defend in depth during the opening exchanges and centre-back Paul Robinson served notice of London intentions by shaking off the attentions of Liam Fontaine and directing a header over the bar from eight yards.

Nice and compact in a formation which saw wingers Albert Adomah and Ivan Sproule drop back to supports their full-backs when forced to defend, City threatened on the break on a number of occasions and came close to taking the lead on 23 minutes.

Arriving in space at the far post, Adomah attempted to find David Clarkson with a low cross, only for Darren Ward to clear the danger. When the ball rebounded to Adomah, he saw his next cross blocked before firing the loose ball into the side netting from a narrow angle.

Both sides were especially competitive in midfield, where Cole Skuse and former Lion Marvin Elliott went head to head with Liam Trotter and Darren Carter. Making his debut following his midweek move from Preston, Carter became the first player to enter referee Michael Oliver’s book, cautioned for a late challenge on Skuse after 31 minutes.

When Carter was next involved, it was as an attacking force in City’s penalty area, the midfielder unleashing a goal-bound shot, which was blocked by Jamie McAllister. Believing the ball had ricocheted off the Scot’s arm, Millwall players appealed for a penalty, only for referee Oliver to dismiss their claims.

But the visitors did take the lead four minutes before the break after winning a corner in front of the East End. City failed to clear their lines, Kevin Lisbie’s snap-shot came off the inside of the post and the ball careered across goal as far as Darren Ward, whose rising drive made the roof of the net bulge.

Millwall doubled their lead three minutes into the second half, Schofield conjuring a superb goal to stun Ashton Gate into near-silence.

Collecting the ball in the left channel, the winger cut inside, turned Nicky Hunt and Liam Fontaine and beat James with a delightful right-footed shot that curled just inside the far post.

City needed to respond quickly and Fontaine rose to meet a corner, only to see his header fly over the bar. The visitors came closer to extending their lead moments later, right-back Alan Dunne venturing forward and shooting just over the angle of post and bar. Morison then headed narrowly off target as

It was clear that Coppell’s tactic of deploying Clarkson as a lone striker was not working and the manager provided the Scot with much-needed support nine minutes into the second half, withdrawing Campbell-Ryce, sending on debutant striker Sam Vokes and switching to a more orthodox 4-4-2 formation.

City had their best chance of the match almost immediately, Lions keeper David Forde keeping out Clarkson’s angled shot and then looking on with relief as the Scot’s follow-up effort hit the outside of the post.

It proved a turning point. Millwall raced up the other end and forced a corner, Lisbie headed Henry’s flag kick against the cross bar and Paul Robinson forced home the rebound from close range to put the outcome beyond reasonable doubt with 29 minutes still remaining.

And it could so easily have been 4-0 moments later, James flinging himself to his left to keep out Henry’s close-range header after Lisbie again turned provider.

There was further drama in the 64^th minute, Carter lunging in on Adomah to earn a second yellow card and receive his marching orders from referee Oliver.

Carter’s departure proved cold comfort for City, who lost Vokes 13 minutes into his debut. The loan signing from Wolves went up for an aerial challenge, landed awkwardly on his back and had to be carried off on a stretcher.

Coppell introduced Academy product Marlon Jackson as a 67^th minute replacement, but Coppell’s patched up side were already well beaten.

City (4-3-3): James; Hunt, Stewart, Fontaine, McAllister; Elliott, Skuse, Campbell-Ryce (Vokes 54, Jackson 67)); Sproule (G Williams 80), Clarkson, Adomah.

Millwall (4-4-2): Forde; Dunne, Ward, Robinson, Barron; Henry (Hackett 80), Trotter (Laird 90), Carter, Schofield; Morison (Harris 84), Lisbie.

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)

Attendance: 18,308