Millwall are through to the second round of the EFL Cup after a 3-1 win at League Two side Crawley Town.

Scott Malone scored his first goal since returning to Millwall on loan. A Jordan Tunnicliffe own goal doubled Millwall's lead before Sam Ashton pulled one back almost immediately. Matt Smith made it 3-1 with a header in the second half.  

Story of the game 

Millwall dominated the early proceedings. Connor Mahoney stung the palms of Crawley goalkeeper Jon McGill after seven minutes. 

Millwall took the lead after 14 minutes. Two summer signings combining. Ryan Woods looked to have lost possession but managed to win the ball back before producing a teasing cross which Scott Malone drilled into the bottom corner. 

The visitors went close again a couple of minutes later. Connor Mahoney's free-kick was flicked on by Mason Bennett, but Matt Smith was unable to get on the end of it. 

Millwall doubled their lead on 31 minutes. Connor Mahoney's corner was headed back across goal by Jake Cooper and deflected into the net by Jordan Tunnicliffe. 

Crawley responded almost immediately. Sam Ashton was slid in behind the Millwall defence, raced through and beat Bartosz Bialkowski with a smart finish into the bottom corner. 

Jed Wallace replaced Mason Bennett at the break and almost added a third. He tricked his way into the box and went for the far top corner but put too much power in his effort that saw the ball go out for a Crawley throw. Matt Smith and Jake Cooper also saw efforts go wide. Cooper again went close from a Mahoney corner on 58 minutes. 

Millwall wouldn't have to wait much longer for their third goal. Just one minute later another corner, this time it was taken short to Jed Wallace, he crossed towards the far post where Matt Smith headed home to make it 3-1. 

Tom Bradshaw went close to making it 4-1, but his low effort was saved by McGill as was another header from Smith. 

Malone also saw an effort saved by McGill as Millwall dominated the final stages of the game but they were not able to add to their goal tally.

Man of the match - Ryan Woods 

Ryan Woods had a very good loan spell at The Den in the second half on last season and if Millwall can get that level of form out of him again this season then he will cause teams problems. He provided the assist for Malone's opener and bossed the game in the centre of midfield. 

Team News

Gary Rowett included summer signings Mason Bennett, Scott Malone and Ryan Woods in Millwall's starting eleven. Ryan Leonard started at right wing-back in the absence of both Billy Mitchell and Jiri Skalak. Meanwhile, Crawley included two former Millwall players in their starting eleven. Former Skipper Tony Craig and midfielder Jack Powell. 

Takeaways 

Different defensive options for Rowett. 

The addition of Scott Malone to the Millwall ranks gives Rowett options at both centre-back and left wing-back. Malone started on the left with Murray Wallace moving into the centre of defence alongside Shaun Hutchinson and Jake Cooper. It gives the Lions boss options. Last season he was limited to just three centre-halves and one left wing-back. The depth is better this season and that is something that will only benefit the Lions going forward. 

Malone off the mark 

Scott Malone making his second debut for the club looked very lively and very well suited to the wing-back role. His pace fitting the brief superbly. He is also suited to a more attacking role, something that perhaps Murray Wallace is so suited too. He can also finish well and that could be a big weapon for Millwall throughout the course of the campaign. 

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