Alan Dunne bagged his second goal in three games as Millwall came from behind to secure a thoroughly deserved share of the spoils at Gillingham.
Dunney was perfectly placed to get the final touch on Gary Alexander's goal-bound chip on the hour to send the travelling 1,000 Lions fans behind the goal into ecstasy.
Not only was the goal Millwall's first on their travels this season, it was also a first and valuable point for caretaker boss Richard Shaw.
Handed the managerial reins on a temporary basis following Willie Donachie's dismissal on Monday night, Shaw brought Chris Hackett back in to the fold, with Will Hoskins also returning from injury to partner Gary Alexander up front.
In a typically fiesty derby encounter both sides could not be faulted for their effort or commitment, although a little finesse was missing at times in the first half particularly.
Other than a hooked volley from Delroy Facey that Rab Douglas held comfortably, neither side had a sniff of goal in a quiet opening quarter of an hour.
But all that changed when striker Chris Dickson, on loan at Priestfield from Charlton, brushed aside Paul Robinson's challenge and then took advantage of hesitency by Lions keeper Rab Douglas to lash home the opening goal on 17 minutes.
That sparked Millwall into life and The Lions got stronger as the half progressed.
Cross after cross was whipped into, or across the box, but unfortunately there was no-one there to convert the crosses into goals.
That fact was highlighted six minutes before the break when a superb Danny Senda delivery was somehow missed by Hoskins' head two yards out and with the goal at his mercy.
Dunne also wasted a glorious opportunity to send The Lions in with the leveller that their pressure deserved when he met Hackett's deep delivery, only to send his header straight into the arms of home keeper Simon Royce.
Millwall came out at the start of the second half like men possessed with Andy Frampton's free-kick parried by Royce and squirming inches wide and Hoskins effort blocked by the keeper as Shaw's men piled the pressure on.
But just as The Lions looked to be on top, they nearly let their hard work slip on 57 minutes when former Dulwich frontman Dickson turned Shaw and hit a low drive that smacked the inside of the far post, ricocheted along the goal-line and somehow ended up going out for a throw near the corner flag.
The Lions responded positively with Hackett's effort clawed clear for a corner by Royce on 59 minutes. And within 60 seconds the visitors finally ended their wait to score away from The Den for the first time since May.
Ali Fuseini and Hoskins combined down the left to set up Alexander who despatched a chip that looked to be heading over the line, but midfielder Dunne made sure with a telling final touch as Ian Cox attempted to clear off the line..
It was very much game on thereafter with the pace of the game picking up considerably.
Both teams traded chances; Delroy Facey's shot bobbling wide and then Hoskins again thwarted as he threatened. Hackett also came to the rescue when he headed a Cox header off the line.
But Millwall had a glorious opportunity to wrap up victory with five minutes remaining when Hoskins' footwork bamboozled the home defence and the ball fell to Dunne, who dragged his shot a matter of inches wide.
That proved to be the last real scoring opportunity in a fiercely competitive encounter, but Lions fans could head back up the A2 safe in the knowledge that a valuable point had been secured, and a vastly improved team performance had been given.

Gillingham: Royce, Jupp, King (Clohessy, 72mins), Cox, Nowland (Mulligan, 89mins), Cogan (Graham, 84mins), Bentley, Southall, Dickson, Facey, Sodje. Subs not used: Stone, Stillie.
Scorer: Dickson (17mins)

Millwall: Douglas, Senda, Frampton, Robinson, Shaw, Dunne, Fuseini (O'Hara, 76mins), Brammer, Hackett (Simpson, 89mins), Alexander, Hoskins (Harris, 90mins). Subs not used: Day, Barron.
Bookings: Hackett: (89mins), O'Hara (90mins)
Scorer: Dunne (60mins)

Ref: Andy D'Ursso
Att: 6,120 (Away 1,026)