Millwall 0 Middlesbrough 2 – Lions’ play-off hopes suffer huge blow as Den win wait continues

Millwall’s hopes of a late surge into the Championship play-off positions took a heavy blow as Middlesbrough eased their relegation fears at The Den.

Britt Assombalonga tapped the visitors into a 68th-minute lead with the Lions raging that they had not been awarded a free-kick in the build-up.

And Ashley Fletcher ended any doubts about the outcome as he produced a cool finish from the penalty spot after Jake Cooper clipped his heels.

Millwall were unhappy that referee Tim Robinson allowed play to continue for the first goal. Cooper went down and claimed there was a touch from Fletcher, but the striker raced into the box and squared to leave Assombalonga with a simple finish from close range.

The Lions have not won at home since January 18 and this was a third reverse in the seven matches since then.

They badly struggled to create opportunities and it was only the introduction of Connor Mahoney in the 63rd minute – as the hosts switched to a 4-4-2 formation – that saw them create something meaningful.

Within seconds Mahoney produced their best cross of the contest but Matt Smith’s header was saved by a flying Dejan Stojanovic. And moments later the winger cut inside his marker and produced a shot which the Boro stopper repelled with his legs.

But from the moment that Assombalonga put Middlesbrough ahead it never felt like a comeback was on the cards.

The Lions were chasing the contest and were wide open down the middle when Jonathan Howson intercepted Jayson Molumby’s pass to put Fletcher through. Cooper was booked for stopping his progress and the former West Ham man gave Bart Bialkowski no chance from the spot.

The result leaves Millwall five points behind sixth-placed Cardiff City with only four fixtures to go.

PICTURES BY KEITH GILLARD