GREG Halford became the first Nottingham Forest player to score in the opening 15 minutes of a Championship game this season, to help put Billy Davies' side in the driving seat at half-time.
Halford's towering eighth minute header was enough to give the Reds a 1-0 lead at the interval, following 45 minutes in which they had, in patches, played some confident football.
A huge throw from Greg Halford caused chaos in the Millwall penalty area, with Elliott Ward heading down into the danger zone, where David Forde narrowly beat Simon Cox to the ball.
But then, almost immediately, at the other end of the pitch, Darlow uncharacteristically spilt a bouncing ball and Ward had to clear the danger as Millwall briefly looked as though they might profit.
Danny Collins, restored to the side in the centre of defence, had to make an important challenge following a superb turn from Shaun Batt, which allowed the striker to get a shot away, which the skipper blocked robustly.
Collins was one of two chances Forest made, both of which came in defence – and both of which came as a result of injuries to full backs.
Chris Cohen was the latest to break down this week, meaning that Dan Harding was brought into the side on the left side of defence. While, with both Sam Hutchinson and Gonzalo Jara ruled out with knee problems, Greg Halford moved over to the right side, with Collins restored to the side in the centre of defence.
It was to be a defender who broke the deadlock as well, as Forest for once struck early to take the lead in the eighth minute.
Andy Reid sent a corner in from the Forest right with real power, bent towards the far post, where Halford rose to send a crisp, confident header into the back of the net.
Forest's confidence was flowing and, within a few minutes, David Forde was forced into an adept save as Radi Majewski scampered into space and let fly with a 20-yard shot that looked bound for the bottom corner before the keeper got down to save.
When Majewski then delivered a corner from the left side, Ward jumped highest in the centre, but was punished for a foul, before Forest could profit from the loose ball.
Forest were looking threatening in wide positions and, when Reid delivered from the left, Karleigh Osborne had to prod the ball out, narrowly wide of his own near post.
The resulting corner saw Millwall struggle to deal with another Majewski ball, with Sharp attempting a spectacular over-head kick – but just failing to make contact.
A quick break from Simon Cox had Millwall on the back foot – and retreating right to the edge of their own box, but Osborne recovered to make a vital block and take the sting out of the striker's shot.
James Henry might have scored when Darlow failed to collect another high ball into the box, under significant pressure, but his instant shot, from a tight angle, dropped over the bar.
When Guedioura stumbled in possession, Henry broke dangerously into the box, before driving a rising shot into the side netting – although Darlow seemed to have it covered.
Darlow's bravery proved vital when Sean St Ledger broke forward to attack a cross in the box, with the keeper diving in decisively to punch clear as the midfielder challenged.