Millwall dented Middlesbrough's play-off hopes with a 1-0 win at The Den.

Story of the game 

Jed Wallace and Mason Bennett linked up well. The latter, shooting but not causing the Boro keeper Marcus Bettinelli any problems. 

In 15 minutes, Bettinelli's clearance fell to  Billy Mitchell, the academy product's shot from outside the box fell at the feet on the Boro stopper, however.

Millwall created the first clear-cut chance. Scott Malone fizzed a lovely ball to Bennett. He sent a first time through ball for Wallace, who forced a good save from Bettinelli.

The home side did take the lead. Wallace's impressive cross into the box hit Grant Hall but went past Bettinelli into the net. 

Another academy product, Danny McNamara, then went close; his shot crept past the far post. 

The visitors dominated the second half, Neil Warnock made three attacking changes at the break. 

Former Millwall man Saville had two chances in the opening stages of the second half. Firstly, his shot was saved by Bartosz Bialkowski, and after that, he saw a shot blocked by Murray Wallace. 

Bialkowski had to make another super stop on 77 minutes, keeping out Paddy McNair. 

Takeaways

Perfect response from Millwall 

Consistency has been a real problem for Millwall this season, which was shown at QPR on Wednesday night; the Lions were 2-0 up at the break but went on to lose 3-2. Today the defence looked solid and blocked everything. 

Billy Mitchell, Scott Malone and Danny McNamara show their class

Two Millwall academy products are staking their claims for regular places in the side next season. Mitchell's play in the first half was exceptional; the way he passed the ball around with confidence was a pleasure to watch. Scott Malone has been Millwall's player of the season, popping up with some crucial goals at crucial times. His attacking play has been outstanding at times, and he is very well suited to that left wing-back role. McNamara was out on loan at St Johnstone in the first half of the season, and he's staked a claim for a place in the starting lineup. He was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when his shot crept past the far post. 

Team News

Gary Rowett made three changes following Wednesday night's 3-2 defeat at QPR. Murray Wallace replaced Alex Pearce, Danny McNamara came in for Mahlon Romeo, as Billy Mitchell replaces Ben Thompson, who dropped out of the match-day squad. 

Meanwhile, Neil Warnock also made three changes to the Middlesbrough side. Former Millwall goalkeeper Jordan Archer was on the bench alongside another former Lion George Saville.