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Harry Arter scored for the fifth successive league game as Bournemouth beat Millwall to move four points clear at the top of the Championship.

The Cherries took the lead when Yann Kermorgant scored from the penalty spot after Charlie Daniels was brought down by Lee Martin.

On his 25th birthday, midfielder Arter then fired into the bottom corner to make it 2-0 before the break.

Shaun Williams' red card with 10 minutes to go added to Millwall's woes.

Ian Holloway's side were looking to recover from their 6-1 thrashing at Norwich on Boxing Day, which left them three points away from the relegation zone.

And, although the Lions looked composed in the opening stages of Sunday's contest, they could not match the Cherries, who are unbeaten in the league since September.

Defender Sid Nelson, on his professional debut for Millwall, headed inches wide before Martin's effort was gathered by keeper Artur Boruc.

The Londoners were punished in the 32nd minute when Martin tripped Daniels in the box and, although the hosts were convinced it was outside the area, their appeals were waved away and Kermorgant slotted home.

The goal settled the Cherries and they were soon two up when Callum Wilson beat the offside trap and pulled back for Arter to drill into the bottom corner.

After the restart, Millwall pushed to make the breakthrough but Lee Gregory shot over the bar and Jimmy Abdou's ball in evaded everyone in the box.

Arter's strike was then blocked by Nelson before Dan Gosling fizzed his shot just wide for the visitors, and their victory looked inevitable when Williams received a straight red for kicking out at Wilson.

Millwall manager Ian Holloway: "There is a nervousness in the team. The lads want to do well but then we go and get a player sent of. That is unforgivable and ridiculous. Williams should have just got on with it.

"We are going to have to simplify things, play from back to front. I'm going to need some more choices and now and it's as simple as that."

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe: "It was a very hostile atmosphere but we dealt well with the challenge that was posed and concentrated on the football.

"We always felt if we could keep a clean sheet, we'd have a good chance to win the game. We've been 2-0 ahead against Millwall before, so it was a good test for us to learn from the previous game."