Steve Claridge's first half penalty gave Millwall a 1-0 victory against a Watford side who finished with nine men after Stephen Glass and Heidar Helguson were sent off.

The 35-year-old's winner was enough to send Millwall second in Division One - their highest league position in six years - despite a spirited Watford fightback in another controversial match at The Den.

The Hornets were reduced to 10 men after 30 minutes when Stephen Glass was adjudged to have handled on the goalline, and Claridge stepped up to beat goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain for his 14th goal of the season.

But Watford's Marcus Gayle was guilty of a glaring miss which could have grabbed a share of the points for the visitors before substitute Helguson was dismissed for a late tackle.

Watford were out to avenge a 4-1 mauling at Vicarage Road on New Year's Day, and started brightly.

There was none of the tension or crowd trouble which marred Millwall's 1-1 draw with Birmingham last Thursday, when six Millwall fans were ejected for throwing missiles.

But their team soon took control of the match, with Sadlier firing off goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain's legs, and Ronnie Bull going close after a storming run and shot.

And it was veteran Claridge who turned their dominance into a half-time lead after 31 minutes.

Christophe Kinet's right wing corner caused havoc in the Watford penalty area, and the ball fell to Stuart Nethercott, whose header was handled on the line by Glass.

Referee Rob Styles awarded the spot-kick and showed the red card to the former Newcastle player for deliberate handball in only his first start for Watford in a month.

Claridge stepped up after a lengthy delay caused by furious Watford protests to stroke the ball right-footed past Chamberlain.

But the visitors should have equalised moments later. Patrick Blondeau broke down the left and picked out an unmarked Gifton Noel-Williams in the box - but his first-time volley flew inches wide.

Gianluca Vialli introduced substitute Jamie Hand for Tommy Smith just before half-time, and Watford continued to play the ball around with confidence.

But while Millwall bossed much of the second half, substitute Marcus Gayle had a glorious opportunity to draw Watford level after 74 minutes.

A sweeping five-man move started by Hand's strong running out of defence ended with Allan Nielsen playing a neat header to Gayle, but he miscued from six yards out.

And with Millwall's frustration growing, Lloyd Doyley almost presented the home side with the clincher after 84 minutes.

His poor control from a Watford corner gave Reid possession and the Lions winger ran the length of the pitch to go down under Filippo Galli's challenge in the penalty area - but referee Styles was unimpressed and booked Reid for a dive.

Watford refused to be daunted, and laid siege to the Millwall goal in the last five minutes, with Gayle forcing keeper Tony Warner to tip over a looping header in the 89th minute.

But the match ended sourly with Watford reduced to nine men after substitute Helguson was dismissed for a late tackle on Ryan Green.

Teams:

Millwall: Warner, Lawrence, Bull, Nethercott, Dyche, Reid, Bircham, Livermore, Kinet (Odunsi 59), Sadlier (Green 90), Claridge (Harris 64).

Subs Not Used: Gueret, Ward.

Booked: Reid.

Goals: Claridge 33 pen.

Watford: Chamberlain, Doyley, Blondeau, Galli, Cox, Glass, Hyde, Nielsen (Helguson 86), Pennant, Smith (Hand 44), Noel-Williams (Gayle 64).

Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Noble.

Sent Off: Glass (32), Helguson (90).

Booked: Galli, Hand, Blondeau.

Att: 12,531

Ref: R Styles (Waterlooville).