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The first appearance from David James couldn't stop City suffering a heavy defeat in their season opener.

Millwall, newly promoted to the Championship, got off to a good start with a first half goal from Darren Ward.  Danny Schofield and Paul Robinson then increased the Lions’ lead in the second half.

Darren Carter was sent off for the visitors after 64 minutes after picking up two yellow cards.

The Robin’s boss Steve Coppell is struggling with a series of injuries and as well as James he also handed debuts to Nicky Hunt and Damion Stewart, who was sent off late on for a second booking.

Coppell said: "We were poor.  Even when we had them down to 10 men we didn’t really get at the heart of their defence, we didn’t really hurt them a great deal.  We need to collectively assume responsibility and try and get better."

Much of the attention before the match was on the debut of David James, who has since learnt he has been left out of the England squad for this week’s friendly against Hungary.

But the City boss did not blame his goalkeeper for the defeat: "He made one magnificent save, he came for a couple of crosses which I thought was excellent.  His distribution was good, it’s what you would expect.  He is a top professional."

City’s next game is at Southend on Tuesday in the first round of the Carling Cup.  

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