Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe insisted there was no way lightning was going to strike twice as his Championships leaders continued their impressive unbeaten run with a 2-0 defeat of Millwall to move even further clear at the top.

The Cherries travelled to the Den having gone 13 league games without defeat but knew the Lions wouldn't lie down easily - despite a 6-1 Boxing Day drubbing at Norwich - having come from behind to draw 2-2 at the end of November.

A first half penalty from Yann Kermorgant and Harry Arter proved enough though while Millwall had Shaun Williams sent off late on after an altercation with Callum Wilson.

And, with the home draw with the Lions on November 29, where they came from 2-0 down to finish at 2-2, fresh in the memory, Bournemouth boss Howe admitted he was made up with the manner of the performance.

"It was a very hostile atmosphere but we dealt well with the challenge that was posed and concentrated on the football which is the most important thing for our perspective," he said.

"We always felt if we could keep a clean sheet we'd have a good chance to win the game. We've been 2-0 ahead against Millwall before so it was a good test for us to learn from the previous game.

"And I thought in the second half we were professional. The sending off helped and we could have scored more goals but all in all without being at our very best it was a comfortable win.

"It's come out the blue for Harry Arter, he's performed very well this season and now's he getting the goals to back that up.

"We need goals from everywhere and it is good to see Yann come back into the team and score and Harry continue his run.

"The most pleasing thing for me is the back-to-back clean sheets and that'll stand us in good stead for an important period coming up."

Defeat for Millwall was their fourth from their last five matches and boss Ian Holloway, increasingly under pressure given the Lions poor form, admitted the dressing room is anxious and things must be turned around.

"After what happened to us the other day at Norwich, I had no idea what I was going to see out there," he said. "I decided to shake things up and put young Sid Nelson in defence and he was absolutely excellent.

"I thought the response from the lads was the least I expected. Against Norwich on Boxing Day for the first time since I have been at the club I saw people almost give up and that was shocking and I won't put up with that.

"There is a nervousness in the team, the lads want to do well but then we go and get a player sent off and that is unforgivable and ridiculous. Williams should have just got on with it.

"We are going to have to simplify things, play from back to front and I'm going to need some more choices and now and it's as simple as that."