Anyone who had seen the first game between these two clubs would say that Millwall looked the more likely side to win. Now at home, they would be more confident still.
Saints were still without Wayne Bridge. His replacement, Francis Benali almost gave Millwall a lead in the 3rd minute. Benail's pass hit straight off a Millwall player, who was then through on goal. Only Benali's good recovery and good positional play from Niemi prevented the goal.
As Saints took their time getting into the match, Dennis Wise saw his shot deflected and then saw yellow as he cynically hacked down Fernandes. Wise had made a bright start and this card no doubt affected the rest of his game.
Saints began to gain the upper hand with Anders Svensson just failing to get onto a pass in front of goal, and Oakley shooting well over.
Despite a poor Reid freekick to Millwall, Saints were beginning to get the best of the possession.
Saints got a reward for their approach play after 21 minutes. A lovely passing move from the left across the box resulted in a deflected shot. Anders Svensson then chested the ball down to Matt Oakley. The Former England Under -21kept his cool and slotted an excellent shot through the defence and past Warner's right hand into the net.
Oakley is often an unsung hero of the Saints side. Although he has a good shot and good awareness going forward, we seldom see it. Instead, he performs a holding role, getting Saints moving attacking and breaking up opponent's play.
Another unsung hero has to be Paul Telfer. Not only does he provide defensive cover for Fabrice Fernandes, when even the Frenchman himself often doesn't know where he's going, but his overlapping runs and crosses give Saints another attacking option. Three minutes after Saints opener, He saw his first cross collected by Warner, while his second just failed to reach Tessem in the middle.
Saints were clearly trying to get a second goal, to take the game beyond Millwall. It's unfortunate that their attacking play in midfield regularly fails to bring a corresponding number of good attempts on goal.
Fernandes' shot trickled towards Warner after deflecting off a defender on twenty seven minutes. His shot a minute later went well over the bar. His free kick a few minutes later, doesn't have the power to trouble the Millwall 'keeper.
Saints were punished for their lack of finishing on thirty ix minutes. A good touch from the impressive Ifill reached Claridge. His pass across the face of goal was met by ROI international Steven Reid. His first shot was superbly blocked by Niemi, but he pounced on the rebound and put the ball into the net
Saints took the equaliser badly and the rest of the first half was a more even contest. Ifill's shot was comfortably saved by Niemi, while at the other end, Fernandes saw his shot blocked and Marsden hit over.
With Millwall's passing game improving Saints went into half time knowing that they would have a tough second half.
With the home fans getting behind their team, Millwall started the second half brightly. However chances for them were hard to come by.
Saints slowly began to get forward, but again lacked a cutting edge. Tessem got in front of his marker but could only steer it wide of the post and Oakley hit a long range effort over the top.
Once again, Saints were punished for their lack of firepower. Fortunately, it didn't lead to a Millwall goal. A succession of corners had to be defended and a shot from Claridge tipped over by Niemi.
Gordon Strachan brought on Kevin Davies for Jo Tessem, but the once £7.2 million man looked pretty ineffective. While he may want to now stay with the club, it's by no means certain if the club want him.
Following a shot from Anders Svensson on the sixty sixth minute, Saints had their best chance to pull ahead. A Telfer cross reaches Beattie's head in the middle of the box. The potential England striker steered it wide of Warner only to see it hit off the post and go clear.
Although Millwall had another little spell of pressure resulting in a wide Ifill volley, much of the remainder of the game fell to Saints.
A scramble in the Millwall box, a Beattie header and shot, a good Fernandes cross and a woeful Telfer shot were all chances not taken.
In the end, two tired teams went into extra time.
Saints better physical shape under Strachan, gave them an obvious edge over their Nationwide counterparts in extra time. Beattie hit a shot straight at Warner after five minutes of the first half. Anders Svensson went in too early on a Marsden cross. His overhead kick went well wide.
Then on the eleventh minute, a second for Oakley. Saints closed down Millwall midway in their own half, and Oakley regained possession. A good one tow from Svensson saw him in front of the Millwall defence. Taking his time, he squeezed a shot past Warner for the winner.
Millwall manager, Mark McGhee, brought on May for Wise to try and get back into the game. On this showing, May is just one of a number of promising youngsters at the club. His first touch turned into a run, but fortunately, his shot just trickled toward Niemi.
Five minutes into the second period of extra time, and the sometimes frustrating Fabrice Fernandes was taken off for Brett Ormerod.
While not convincing as a regular Premiership goalscorer, Brett looked far more effective than either Tessem or Davies. On balance he would provide a better foil for Beattie until Pahars' return from injury.
Matt Oakley almost got a hattrick, mid way through the final half. However, instead of chipping Warner, he elected to go round him and ran out of space.
Ex-Saints trialist Baltacha came on for the last ten minutes and moved up front.
It was only in the last minute when Niemi had to run out and collect the ball after some slack defending.
The victory was deserved by Saints, but they made it tough for themselves with lack of movement into goalscoring positions and some poor finishing.