GARY Rowett sung the praises of Romain Esse and Aidomo Emakhu after the pair combined for Millwall and grabbed the winning goal at Middlesbrough.
The Lions bossed most of the game but could not find a way through at the Riverside Stadium, a ground where they had been winless since 2014.
But then Millwall boss Rowett turned to his bench and called upon two of the shining lights from pre-season.
Emakhu, 19, set up Esse for the winner after a brilliant run down the wing in the Boro half.
Esse, 18, then popped a stunning strike into the top corner on his 14th Millwall appearance to give the Lions a 1-0 lead and eventually the win.
Rowett explained why he introduced the “unpredictable” duo.
He said: “Over the course of pre-season, they’ve both been very, very good. They’ve probably been two of our better players. I could have easily put more senior players on who have played at higher levels and with more experience but I just felt as though they give you something unpredictable.
“Aidomo’s pacy and has power but he also has very good end product. And Rom just has great quality. He’s just a talented, talented player. I thought they combined really well.
“[When they came on] we could have shored it up and gone for a draw but I felt the game was there [if we had] more pace on the transition.
“Aidomo does well. He just waits for the defender and as soon as he lunges he just flicks it past him. He’s got lovely balance and then he finds a great pass. And you’re not going to find a more composed finish whether you’re 30 years old or 18 years old in the division this afternoon. It’s a beautiful, beautiful finish and certainly deserved the applause.”