Bristol Rovers 2 Millwall 0: Midfielder Chris Lines scored a spectacular effort to help Bristol Rovers return to winning ways at the Memorial Stadium this afternoon.

Lines thundered a 25-yard piledriver high into the net to double Rovers advantage after Jeff Hughes had given Paul Trollope's men a first-half lead from the penalty spot against an injury-hit and underperforming Millwall side.

It was Lines second goal in as many league games following his strike in defeat at Wycombe last week and ensured Rovers regained the winning thread on the back of two defeats. Rovers were good value for their comfortable victory after dominating the afternoon's proceedings against a Millwall team missing 11 senior players through injury.

Paul Trollope had handed debuts to goalkeeper Mikkel Andersen and winger Mark Wright. Andersen was rarely tested but when called on dealt comfortably with what was required. Wright had a quiet start to his Pirates career and was replaced by David Pipe for the final twenty minutes.

Rovers had started the afternoon brightly and forced a succession of corners from which Jo Kuffour almost profited with a near post header that was swatted away by Millwall goalkeeper David Forde.

Millwall had their first and only sight on goal of the opening period just before the ten-minute mark. Deadline day signing Danny Schofield outfoxed Aaron Lescott on the right-hand side and whipped in a menacing cross. Ashley Grimes connected with the ball, but Andersen made a comfortable save.

Hughes, reverting to a wide midfield position after filling in at left-back at Hereford last time, had a glimpse of goal when put through by a raking Lines pass over the top on 18 minutes. The Northern Irishman was thwarted at the last by a desperate block from a Millwall defender - but Rovers continued to control proceedings and the pressure finally told seven minutes later.

Hughes charged down an attempted clearance on the edge of the penalty area and went through on goal before his progress was illegally halted by Millwall skipper Andy Frampton. Hughes returned to his feet to duly convert the spot kick and offer Rovers a lead that they comfortably held until the referee brought the opening period to a close.

Millwall's plight seemed to worsen soon after the restart - David Martin had already been substituted after picking up a knock and minutes later striker Gary Alexander limped out of the action. Rovers could have killed the game off with their first chance of the second-half - but Darryl Duffy's angled shot from close-range was weak and Forde was able to pick it off too easily.

The Lions could have grabbed an equalizer soon after but for a routine save from Andersen that kept out Grimes’ shot at the end of one of very few fluid moves produced by Kenny Jackett's side.

Andersen then unknowingly diverted another Grimes header to safety before Lines took advantage of a half-hearted clearance by the Millwall defence to rasp home an unstoppable drive on 63 minutes to make the points safe for Rovers.

Bristol Rovers (4-4-2): Andersen; Regan, Coles, Anthony, Lescott; Wright (Pipe 72), Campbell, Lines, Hughes; Duffy (Williams 65) Kuffour (Blizzard 83). Subs: Evans, Elliott, Reece, Swallow.

Millwall (4-4-2): Forde; Dunne, Smith, Frampton, Barron; Schofield, Fuseini, Abdou, Martin (Friend 46); Alexander (Marquis 49), Grimes. Subs: Sullivan, Bolder, Hughes-Mason.

Referee: Mr John Moss (West Yorkshire)

Attendance: 6038