They may proudly sing no-one likes them, but Millwall have certainly struck up a special relationship with the FA Cup.
Murray Wallace, hero of the fourth-round victory over Everton, secured a fourth quarter-final appearance in 15 years for Millwall with the winning goal against AFC Wimbledon.
It was no more than the Championship strugglers deserved, as Neil Harris’s team squandered a number of good chances to win by a more comfortable margin.
But just as they do not care what opposition fans think of them, Millwall’s travelling supporters will not be too bothered how they got to the last eight yet again.
“What an achievement for a club our size,” said manager Harris. “Four times in 15 years. That is an unbelievable achievement.
“Why does the FA Cup bring the best out of us? We know what is needed in these Cup ties and it is not always about being the best footballing team.
“It is about the team with the biggest heart and the right footballing mentality, who can win first and second balls and set plays. That is why they have done so well under me in this competition. I am a very happy manager.”
It might all have been so different if Joe Pigott had given Wimbledon, conquerors of West Ham United in the previous round, the perfect start, but the striker hit the post in the third minute.
Shane McLoughlin played in a dangerous cross from the right, Pigott poked the ball against the post from close range and Wimbledon were quickly punished.
Just a couple of minutes later, Wallace showed Pigott how it should be done as he put the visitors ahead. Ryan Leonard found him unmarked with a cross from the right and the left back made no mistake with his header at the far post.
The goal was Millwall’s first since Wallace had won the fourth-round tie in stoppage time against Premier League Everton last month.
On Millwall’s Cup hero, Harris said: “He is a wonderful fella and a top, top professional who leaves no stone unturned in the way he conducts himself on and off the pitch. He deserves the adulation and attention. I said to the lads before game I needed a hero and someone had to step up and be a match-winner – and he did that.”
Wimbledon were full of spirit and endeavour, but the League One side lacked the quality to take their chances and were grateful to goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale that they were able to keep pushing until the final whistle.
Striker Michael Folivi and right-back Toby Sibbick were the danger men for the hosts during the first half.
Folivi almost capitalised when a throw-in bobbled all the way through to him in the penalty area, but he shot wide of the post.
Sibbick caused Millwall problems with his deliveries. One cross had goalkeeper Jordan Archer scrambling to touch the ball over his own bar. And another found Deji Oshilaja in the penalty area, but the Dons defender headed over.
Wally Downes made an attacking change at the break, sending on Andy Barcham to replace Tyler Garratt. The substitute quickly encouraged the home crowd by driving at the Millwall defence before Sibbick sent a hopeful shot well over.
Wimbledon were almost caught by a sucker punch that would have killed the tie in the 57th minute.
Lee Gregory did well to chase down a long punt and hold the ball until Aiden O’Brien could catch him up. But having received his team-mate’s pass, O’Brien could not beat Ramsdale.
Folivi then had the entire home dug-out appealing for a penalty when he went down in the area, but referee Jonathan Moss signalled for a free-kick outside the box for an earlier foul.
Downes made his last roll of the dice by sending on both Dylan Connolly and Mitchell Pinnock, while former Dons striker Tom Elliott stepped off the bench for the visitors.
Jake Cooper squandered a great chance to ease Millwall’s nerves, as he headed wide after goalscorer Wallace had turned provider, and they also survived a penalty appeal when Barcham went down.
Moss ruled that Barcham was offside when the ball came through from Folivi, but it looked as though it may have taken a slight touch off a defender.
Barcham’s influence was not only in an attacking sense for the hosts, as he made a superb goal-saving challenge to stop Gregory just as he was preparing to pull the trigger inside the area.
There was a late chance for Connolly to send the tie into extra-time, but he sliced his shot wide at the back post and that was the end of Wimbledon’s Cup run.
“I was very pleased with the way the lads applied themselves,” said Dons manager Downes. “We were a match for Millwall and it was only a set-piece between us. It was the set play.
“We’ve itemised all week that Millwall are very strong and studious on their set plays. There were no surprises for what they did to us. Unfortunately there was a lapse and we got punished for it.”
Asked what might have been if Pigott’s early effort had hit the net and not the post, Downes added: “But it didn’t. If you’re playing a team in the division above you and you create a chance early you have to take it. You know they’re going to be efficient at what they do. If they get a chance they’re going to punish you, which is exactly what happened.”
Match details
AFC Wimbledon: Ramsdale, Oshilaja, Nightingale, Garratt, Sibbick, Hartigan, McLoughlin, Wordsworth, McDonald, Folivi, Pigott
Bookings: Wordsworth
Subs used: Barcham 46 (Garratt), Connolly 63 (Pigott), Pinnock 63 (Hartigan)
Millwall: Archer, Romeo, Pearce, Cooper, Murray Wallace, Jed Wallace, Williams, Leonard, Ferguson, O'Brien, Gregory
Bookings: Wallace 75
Subs used: Elliott 65 (O'Brien), Hutchinson 93 (Gregory)
Attendance: 4,795
Referee: Jonathan Moss