MILLWALL 3,

ALDERSHOT TN 0

THE form-book often goes out of the window in the FA Cup, but there was to be no giant-killing act at the New Den on Saturday as Millwall, riding high in League One, dispatched the new boys from the division below.

Not that Aldershot were overwhelmed – far from it. Only one goal separated the sides at half-time and the Lions only put the game to bed in the last 15 minutes with two more headed goals.

Shots manager Gary Waddock, with a difficult selection to make, chose Danny Hylton, back from suspension, ahead of Louie Soares who, perhaps more than anyone else in the squad, is capable of conjuring a goal out of nothing.

And Aldershot needed something a bit special to break down a Millwall defence that has now gone five games without conceding a goal.

The visitors rarely looked like ending that sequence. They saw plenty of the ball, especially in the first half, but carved out only one clear-cut chance in the whole game, despite winning a plethora of corners.

It came on the hour when Scott Davies took a corner and Chris Blackburn's header was scrambled off the line.

A travelling band of 1,591 in the crowd of 6,159 gave Aldershot plenty of encouragement and their commitment seemed to knock Kenny Jackett's side out of their rhythm somewhat.

David Martin and Marc Laird missed decent chances for Millwall. Then Anthony Charles came to Aldershot's rescue, foiling Lewis Grabban with a perfectly-timed tackle after the striker had been sent clear by Neil Harris.

However, Millwall made the breakthrough on 30 minutes. Martin, picking up Laird's pass on the left, took advantage of a slip by Blackburn and his resulting cross was headed home powerfully by Gary Alexander.

Nikki Bull, on his 300th appearance for Aldershot, denied the South Londoners the security of a second goal before half-time. He tipped Martin's ferocious shot over the bar and was then equal to a well-directed header from Harris.

Millwall should certainly have scored seconds after the restart. Grabban put over a wicked cross, only for Alexander to knock the ball wide from very close range.

Aldershot at last began to look more dangerous and it might have changed the course of the game if Blackburn's flick from a Davies corner had found the back of the net. Keeper David Forde was beaten, but Tony Craig somehow managed to clear from virtually behind the goal-line.

John Grant almost got on the end of a Marvin Morgan cross and Hylton's attempted chip fell tamely into Ford's arms.

But these were isolated moments of danger for Millwall and after some canny substitutions, they resumed their recent habit of scoring late goals.

One of the replacements, Chris Hackett, provided the cross that was headed in by Alexander for his second goal.

That killed the game off and it was a bit hard on Aldershot when, with 12 minutes left, young substitute Ashley Grimes made it three with a smart header from Hackett's excellent delivery.

"The scoreline doesn't reflect how well we played in the game," said manager Gary Waddock. "But if you don't defend crosses properly and don't pick up men in the box, you get punished. We were playing an extremely good side who play in League One and if opportunities come along, they will take them."

Millwall: Forde, Hackett, Robinson, Craig, Frampton, Grabban (Dunne 61), Bolder, Laird (Abdou 72), Martin, Harris (Grimes 80), Alexander. Subs (not used): Edwards, Barron, Fuseini, Moore. Booked: Hackett, Craig, Laird.

Aldershot: Bull, Blackburn, Newman, Charles, Straker, Hudson, Harding, Davies, Hylton, Grant (Soares 72), Morgan. Subs (not used): Jaimez-Ruiz, Chalmers, Elvins, Donnelly, Mendes. Booked: Davies.

Attendance: 6,159.

Referee: Graham Horwood (Bedfordshire).

*Unbeaten League Two leaders Wycombe, who bounced back from their shock FA Cup defeat at Unibond Premier Division side Eastwood Town with a 4-0 thrashing of Macclesfield on Tuesday, visit Aldershot in an all-ticket game this Saturday (ko 3pm).

Tickets are currently on sale and the office will be open until 7.30pm today (Friday). No tickets will be sold on the day.

* Aldershot full-back Dean Howell has joined fellow League Two side Bury on loan for a month.