GOING down to the Lions' den is perhaps not the most appealing of prospects for either visiting players or supporters.

As Millwall's infamous club song goes, nobody likes them but they don't care.

So a trip into Bermondsey to face a pumped-up Millwall, revitalised in recent weeks under caretaker manager David Tuttle, would have been among the last places cup strugglers Everton would have picked for their third round draw.

Defeats to Villarreal, Dinamo Bucharest and Middlesbrough had seen David Moyes's side eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers, UEFA Cup and Carling Cup at the first time of asking this season, so defeat to the South Londoners would have completed an unwanted quadruple.

Given the two clubs' respective records in the FA Cup in recent seasons - with Everton slipping up to a then-Conference-bound Shrewsbury and Millwall reaching the final in 2004, it was obvious Everton would have to have their wits about them.

Although it must be noted that the Lions never actually had to face top-flight opposition en route to Cardiff 18 months ago, simply becoming the first lower division side to make it to the final during the Premiership era was a creditable achievement.

Millwall are now four managers down the line since they faced Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium and many of that side have now since departed SE16.

Those who have moved on include the hero of Millwall's march to the 2004 final, Tim Cahill, who headed in the winning goal in their semi-final triumph over Sunderland but is of course now a darling of the Good-ison faithful.

Saturday marked the Australian's homecoming to his old stomping ground and while some polite applause rang out before the game in acknowledgement to his achievements while at Mill-wall, Cahill was given as rough a ride of any of Everton's players from the home crowd during a pulsating 90 minutes of FA Cup football.

While Millwall had prepared for their big day with a four-day stay at Bovey Castle in Devon, where they combined rest and recuperation with some gruelling exercises with the British Military Fitness group, Everton's ranks were depleted by a combination of injuries and selection changes.