Chris Wood scored the only goal of the game for Millwall as they beat 10-man Leeds in a tense encounter at The Den.

After a goalless opening period, Leeds' Luke Varney was dismissed early in the second half for an elbow on Adam Smith.

Millwall dominated thereafter with Wood going close with a long drive and James Henry also spurning a fine chance.

The visitors, who created few chances throughout, held on until Wood met Shane Lowry's tantalising cross to head home the winner in the 86th minute.

With only one win in their last nine games, Leeds' slump continues.

Image of Mark Bright Mark Bright BBC football pundit

"After the 6-1 against Watford, this was a spirited performance from Leeds. They made it difficult for Millwall but a quality strike separated the sides. Chris Wood deserved the goal as he led the line well. Kenny Jackett will be delighted with his side's showing."

While uncertainty surrounding the club's future off the field may not be helping matters on the pitch, this was at least an improvement on last weekend's humiliating 6-1 defeat at home to Watford.

Millwall, meanwhile, are now unbeaten in 10 games and move up to ninth in the Championship table, just two points off a play-off place.

The game started at a fast pace but without clear-cut chances at either end.

Leeds forward El Hadji-Diouf was in the thick of the early action. After only two minutes, he was hacked down by Mark Beevers on the edge of the box, the Millwall defender earning a yellow card for the challenge.

Having been restricted to long-range efforts early on, Millwall had a great chance to open the scoring as striker Wood met Chris Taylor's corner only to see his header cleared off the line by Tom Lees.

The home side grew into the game with Wood and former Leeds man Andy Keogh combining well up front. New Zealand international Wood was impressive throughout, holding the ball up with his burly figure, and his side should have taken the lead late in the first half when he fed Keogh who dragged his shot wide.

Ton up

Kenny Jackett celebrated five years in-charge of the club this weekend with his 100th win as Millwall manager

At the other end, Leeds frontmen Diouf and Luciano Becchio were unable to find any cohesion and it did not help matters when Varney was dismissed early in the second half.

Millwall increased the pressure against their depleted opponents and again came close to breaking the deadlock from a powerful Wood effort. But despite dominating possession, Millwall lacked incisiveness in attack and were still failing to work goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.

But one moment of quality delighted the home fans. Lowry swung in a cross that was met six yards out by Wood, who made no mistake with his headed finish.

Tonge had a late chance for Leeds with another free-kick but lifted his effort high and well wide, leaving Millwall to celebrate a third straight league win.

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett: "It was a real quality goal that decided it - a fantastic ball from Shane and Chris was in the right place at the right time.

"Any win in the Championship is hard-earned and this was no exception - Millwall v Leeds games are always very passionate. We're pleased to come out on top against a side as big as Leeds.

"We've put together the run by reducing the goals against. It was another great clean sheet from the whole team. We've got two tough away games to Blackburn and Wolves so we'll have to keep it up.

Leeds boss Neil Warnock: "I thought we were very short-changed. I thought we did all right in the circumstances - we tried to win the game.

"The amount of effort that's gone into the game and we're talking about a refereeing decision - it's scandalous.

"When you watch the sending off again, we don't have thousands of Millwall fans screaming at us. It's not caught him where he's holding when he's gone down.

"I wish we did it more - you might call it cheating, but I've seen Adam Drury get topped - and keep going. He should go down and roll, shouldn't he? We don't get free-kicks, and we wonder why.

"Referees aren't as consistent - they've gone backwards, I think. I didn't think someone of Mark Halsey's quality and experience would have gone straight for his red card.

"I think he'll be disappointed when he sees it, but that will do us no good."

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (3)

Millwall

  • 01 Forde
  • 03 Shittu
  • 12 Lowry
  • 16 Beevers Booked
  • 25 Smith
  • 04 Wright
  • 06 Trotter
  • 15 Feeney (Henry - 59' Booked )
  • 19 C Taylor Booked (N'Guessan - 82' )
  • 20 Keogh
  • 39 Wood

Substitutes

  • 33 M Taylor
  • 21 Smith
  • 27 Osborne
  • 28 Malone
  • 08 Racon
  • 14 Henry
  • 22 N'Guessan

Leeds United

  • 01 Kenny
  • 02 Peltier
  • 03 Drury
  • 04 Lees
  • 07 Green Booked
  • 11 Varney Dismissed
  • 18 Tonge
  • 25 Byram
  • 30 Hall (McCormack - 65' )
  • 10 Becchio
  • 21 Diouf

Substitutes

  • 12 Ashdown
  • 06 Kisnorbo
  • 14 White
  • 16 Pugh
  • 19 Norris
  • 20 Gray
  • 44 McCormack
Ref: Halsey
Att: 13,117

Match Stats

Shots

17 4

On target

3 2

Corners

5 3

Fouls

16 5

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:21 Full time

Full Time The referee blows for the end of the match.

90:00 +4:48

Effort on goal by Chris Wood from inside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.

90:00 +4:06

Effort on goal by James Henry from deep inside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.

89:28

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on El-Hadji Diouf by Adam Smith. Strike on goal comes in from Michael Tonge from the free kick.

86:56

Corner from the right by-line taken by James Henry, clearance by El-Hadji Diouf. Liam Trotter takes a long range shot clearing the bar.

84:39

The assist for the goal came from Shane Lowry.

84:39 Goal scored

Goal - Chris Wood - Millwall 1 - 0 Leeds A goal is scored by Chris Wood from inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Millwall 1-0 Leeds.

81:20

Patrick Kenny restarts play with the free kick.

81:20 Substitution

Substitution Chris Taylor leaves the field to be replaced by Dany N'Guessan.

81:20

Chris Wood concedes a free kick for a foul on Patrick Kenny.

79:22

A cross is delivered by El-Hadji Diouf, David Forde makes a save.

78:35

Andy Keogh delivers the ball, Chris Taylor has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the goal.

78:17

Paul Green delivers the ball, save by David Forde.

76:49

Centre by Ross McCormack, save by David Forde.

75:13

El-Hadji Diouf crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel, clearance made by Liam Trotter.

75:13 Booking

Booking Chris Taylor receives a yellow card.

74:57

Chris Taylor gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ross McCormack.

74:05

Unfair challenge on Patrick Kenny by Chris Wood results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Patrick Kenny.

73:08

Luciano Becchio is adjudged to have handled the ball. Free kick taken by David Forde.

72:45

The ball is delivered by Liam Trotter, save by Patrick Kenny.

71:32

Josh Wright has a shot and went wide right of the post.

69:57

Ross McCormack delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing.

69:57 Booking

Booking James Henry is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

69:49

Unfair challenge on El-Hadji Diouf by James Henry results in a free kick.

69:31

A cross is delivered by James Henry, Lee Peltier makes a clearance.

69:05

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by James Henry, clearance made by El-Hadji Diouf.

68:45

The ball is sent over by Michael Tonge, save made by David Forde.

67:40

Chris Wood takes a shot. Blocked by Michael Tonge.

66:35

Direct free kick taken by Liam Trotter.

66:35 Booking

Booking Caution for Paul Green.

66:30

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Liam Trotter by Paul Green.

66:04

Michael Tonge takes a long range shot clearing the crossbar.

65:10

Foul by Chris Wood on Paul Green, free kick awarded. Patrick Kenny restarts play with the free kick.

64:26 Substitution

Substitution Ryan Hall goes off and Ross McCormack comes on.

64:04

Long range shot from James Henry misses to the left of the target.

61:05

Shot from outside the area by Chris Taylor misses to the left of the target.

60:15

Samuel Byram fouled by Chris Taylor, the ref awards a free kick. Tom Lees takes the direct free kick.

58:50

Unfair challenge on Chris Wood by Lee Peltier results in a free kick. Josh Wright takes the direct free kick.

58:08 Substitution

Substitution James Henry is brought on as a substitute for Liam Feeney.

57:21

Adam Smith gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on El-Hadji Diouf. Patrick Kenny restarts play with the free kick.

56:52

Liam Feeney takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, Adam Drury makes a clearance.

52:22

Effort from just outside the box by Chris Wood goes over the bar.

50:52

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on El-Hadji Diouf by Adam Smith. El-Hadji Diouf crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing.

47:20

David Forde restarts play with the free kick.

47:20 Dismissal

Dismissal Luke Varney is sent off by the referee for violent conduct.

46:55

Luke Varney challenges Adam Smith unfairly and gives away a free kick.

46:36

Mark Beevers challenges Paul Green unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Tom Lees.

45:22

Adam Drury gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Adam Smith. Direct free kick taken by Adam Smith.

45:01

The match restarts for the second half.

45:00 +2:01 Half time

Half Time It is the end of the first-half.

44:39

The official flags El-Hadji Diouf offside. David Forde takes the indirect free kick.

43:03

Effort from outside the penalty box by Andy Keogh goes wide right of the target.

42:05

Andy Keogh concedes a free kick for a foul on Lee Peltier. Patrick Kenny takes the free kick.

41:23

Foul by Mark Beevers on Luciano Becchio, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Tom Lees.

40:16

Andy Keogh takes a shot. Save by Patrick Kenny.

38:26

Liam Feeney concedes a free kick for a foul on Adam Drury. The free kick is swung in right-footed by El-Hadji Diouf, save by David Forde.

35:53

Adam Smith takes a shot.

34:18

Corner from the left by-line taken by Chris Taylor, Mark Beevers takes a shot. Tom Lees makes a clearance.

33:20

Handball decision goes against Luciano Becchio. David Forde takes the free kick.

30:55

The official flags Chris Wood offside. Patrick Kenny restarts play with the free kick.

26:58

Chris Taylor is ruled offside. Patrick Kenny restarts play with the free kick.

26:28

Ryan Hall takes a shot. Save by David Forde.

25:12

Liam Trotter has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box which goes wide left of the goal.

23:20

Corner taken by Chris Taylor from the left by-line to the near post, Michael Tonge manages to make a clearance.

21:11

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Ryan Hall, save made by David Forde.

18:28

The assistant referee signals for offside against Andy Keogh. Patrick Kenny takes the free kick.

15:33

Handball decision goes against Liam Trotter. Patrick Kenny takes the free kick.

14:15

Josh Wright challenges Luciano Becchio unfairly and gives away a free kick. Lee Peltier takes the direct free kick.

12:58

Effort on goal by Liam Feeney from outside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.

11:35

Ryan Hall concedes a free kick for a foul on Shane Lowry. David Forde takes the direct free kick.

11:01

Chris Taylor concedes a free kick for a foul on Ryan Hall. Direct free kick taken by Tom Lees.

9:45

A cross is delivered by Adam Drury.

9:13

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Ryan Hall from the right by-line, clearance made by Chris Wood.

8:27

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by El-Hadji Diouf played to the near post, Mark Beevers manages to make a clearance.

7:26

Shot by Adam Smith from outside the box goes over the net.

1:54

Shot on goal comes in from Michael Tonge from the free kick.

1:54 Booking

Booking The referee books Mark Beevers for unsporting behaviour.

1:12

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on El-Hadji Diouf by Mark Beevers.

0:00

The game begins.

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