AFC Bournemouth development squad’s winning start to 2024 came to an end as Professional Development League counterparts Millwall triumphed 3-2 at New Cuthbury on Tuesday.

Alan Connell’s team started the year with back-to-back league wins over Bristol City and Cardiff City before recording successive victories over Wolves and Charlton in the Premier League Cup.

And although Jonny Stuttle gave them an early lead against the Lions, three quickfire goals either side of half-time left the Cherries with a mountain to climb.

Stuttle added to his first goal for the development squad with a late second after Millwall goalkeeper Ethan Wady had been sent off for upending the Cherries striker as he prepared to go clear.

Connell's team will be hoping to guarantee home advantage in the Premier League Cup when they host Norwich City at New Cuthbury in their final group game on Saturday (noon kick-off).

An important block by Ben Greenwood prevented Abdul Abdulmalik’s shot from troubling Cam Plain as the Lions fashioned the first chance after five minutes.

Greenwood blocked another effort from Harry Hearn before the Cherries drew first blood through Stuttle following an excellent team move in the 13^th minute.

Some neat build-up play saw the ball worked to Ash Clarke on the right flank, his deep cross to the far post met by Noa Boutin whose volley was parried by Wady.

But the Millwall goalkeeper was unable to keep out Stuttle’s follow-up, the striker reacting quickest and prodding home the loose ball from close range.

Wady pulled off an excellent save to keep out Greenwood’s free-kick, the goalkeeper diving full length to his right to claw it away from the bottom corner.

And the Lions were then thankful to skipper Kamarl Grant for clearing off the line from Kian Tydeman after he had fastened on to a low cross from Dom Sadi.

Clarke burst through and tried his luck from distance, his fierce strike clearing the crossbar, before another great interception from Greenwood saw him block Abdulmalik’s goalbound strike.

Grant headed narrowly over the crossbar after meeting Finley Cotton’s free-kick before Greenwood’s timely intervention prevented Hearn from latching on to Boateng’s centre.

The Lions levelled in first-half stoppage time when Hearn climbed highest to meet Frankie Hvid’s flick, the striker nodding home from inside the six-yard box.

Millwall took the lead two minutes into the second half when Abdulmalik scored the rebound after Greenwood had blocked on the line from Arezki Hamouchene.

And the Lions extended their advantage just two minutes later when Hvid met Cotton’s corner with a bullet header which gave Plain no chance.

As the Cherries went in search of a response, Balraj Landa’s shot from a Greenwood corner was deflection over the crossbar in the 56th minute.

Plain spread himself well to smother Hearn’s effort before the Cherries’ claims for a penalty fell on deaf ears after Sadi had been sent sprawling in the box midway through the second half.

An heroic goalline clearance from Lions defender George Walker kept out Tydeman’s low drive after the playmaker had created the chance with some lovely close control.

Lewis Brown’s thunderous strike flew over the top before the Lions were reduced to ten men when goalkeeper Wady received a straight red card for upending Stuttle.

Although the resultant free-kick taken by Greenwood was charged down by the visitors’ wall, Stuttle was on hand to drill home the loose ball three minutes from time to set up a grandstand finale.

Despite laying siege to the Millwall goal in the closing stages, with substitute goalkeeper George Evans saving Jack Wadham's 20-yarder, the hosts were unable to fashion an equaliser. 

AFC Bournemouth: Plain, Holman, Boutin, Brown, Wadham, Greenwood, Clarke (Osborne, 81), Sadi, Stuttle, Landa (Johnson, 65), Tydeman. Unused subs: Allan (g/k), William, Morgan.

Millwall: Wady, Walker, Stephenson (Olugbodi, h/t), Cotton, Hvid, Grant, Boateng (Evans, 86), Lawson, Hearn (Heywood, 76), Abdulmalik (Howland, 76), Hamouchene (Bangura-Williams, 71).

Referee: Ross Martin.