Stoke's defensive solidity was evident again as debutant Kenwyne Jones made a sparkling start to his loan spell from Southampton by scoring the only goal at the New Den.

Every league game Tony Pulis' side have contested since October 23 has contained either one goal or none and the record remained intact thanks to another resilient display.

Big striker Jones, from Trinidad, who enjoyed a fruitful month with Sheffield Wednesday earlier this season in which he netted seven goals, scored in the 15th minute as Stoke showed the form that earned them a 1-0 win at promotion-chasing Wigan last week.

It took until the 11th minute for there to be a shot at goal and it came from Stoke's Karl Henry, whose long-range strike was held by Andy Marshall.

Millwall's first effort, by Danny Dichio, deflected off Clint Hill for a corner, but a minute later the hosts fell behind. Kevin Harper crossed from the right and Jones headed home from close range.

Harper had a go himself on the 20-minute mark, firing wide, while team-mate Darel Russell also struck a 25-yard shot that missed the target shortly afterwards.

Stoke goalkeeper Steve Simonsen was forced into his first save when he had to parry a Scott Dobie volley and Millwall should have equalised after 31 minutes when Dichio headed over the crossbar from a fine opportunity.

Marshall clutched a Jones header four minutes later and at the other end Simonsen did likewise from Dobie.

Dennis Wise's side looked intent on equalising in the early stages of the second period with Alan Dunne and Darren Ward getting forward well to go close, while Stoke's Marcus Hall became the first player booked for timewasting in the 53rd minute.

Jones missed a glorious chance of a second goal, heading wide, and Dichio also wasted a terrific opening on the hour mark when he did likewise from a corner by Peter Sweeney, who was on as a substitute for his first appearance since early January having been injured.

The hosts looked more threatening with Sweeney on the pitch yet they still had to be wary of Jones, who was the biggest danger at the other end, and he again should have scored from a Dave Brammer corner.

In stoppage time Barry Hayles could have levelled it up but he shot over the crossbar as Millwall's poor form at home, which they have failed to win since Boxing Day, continued.

Teams

Millwall Marshall, Phillips, Lawrence, Ward, Craig (Quigley 87), Dobie, Dunne, Serioux (Elliott 61), Trevor Robinson (Sweeney 60), Hayles, Dichio.

Subs Not Used: Weston, Simpson.

Booked: Hayles.

Stoke Simonsen, Buxton, Hill, Hall, Russell, Brammer, Henry, Jones (Neal 90), Harper (Wilkinson 64), Noel-Williams, Greenacre, Wilkinson (Owen 73).

Subs Not Used: de Goey, Gudjonsson.

Booked: Hall.

Goals: Jones 15.

Att: 11,036

Ref: A Kaye (W Yorkshire).