A Ben Thompson inspired Millwall saw off promotion chasing West Brom 2-0 in a result that could prove huge in their battle for survival.

Ryan Tunnicliffe and an Ahmed Hegazi own goal either side of a Jay Rodriguez missed penalty gave Neil Harris’ men a much deserved three points at The Den as they keep their noses above the relegation zone.

Hegazi’s red card with ten minutes to go compounded the visitors day as their push for automatic promotion seems over.

The victory will be seen as a huge scalp and put Millwall 19th on 40 points alongside two others, one above Rotherham who occupy the final relegation spot.

Fast Start

The Lions started with more intensity than the Baggies, and the visitors were nearly caught napping two minutes in.

Jed Wallace’s cut inside from the right deserved more than his blazed effort over from 18-yards offered.

Harris’ men dominated the opening ten minutes and should’ve gone ahead but the outstanding Ben Thompson’s cut back was poorly met by Gregory whose poor attempt never troubles Johnstone in goal.

The promotion hopefuls soon got into their stride however and started mounting a sustained attack on David Martin’s goal. Hal Robson-Kanu guilty of spurning their best effort with a weak attempt following a swift counter.

With ‘Wall penned in it was against the run of play when Tunnicliffe broke the deadlock. Striking from 25-yards his effort somehow found it’s way past Johnstone who will not want to see the replay.

Johnstone made amends moments after with a fine full-stretch save to deny Wallace from 20-yards.

Not to be outdone Martin produced a fine save tipping over from Stefan Johansen 25-yard half-volley before the half came to a close.

READ: Millwall 2 West Brom 0 - Player ratings

More of the same

Millwall started the second 45 similar to how they ended the first, on top.

But for all their possession, it was the visitors who should’ve taken got the goal on the hour after Jake Cooper got the wrong side of Gayle inside the box, bringing the forward down on the hour.

The Den breathed a sigh of relief as Rodriguez failed to hit the target, dragging wide.

The miss proved costly as Millwall as five minutes later Thompson doubled the hosts lead in controversial fashion.

Albion’s calls for an offside on the midfielder were denied and his cutback was bundled home by the hapless Ahmed Hegazi whose protests the ball had gone dead also fell on deaf ears.

Now relaxed Millwall, inspired by Thompson, looked threatening whenever they were in possession.

Thompson’s long-range effort was parried by Johnstone who also made a fine save to deny Gregory a goal he deserved from the rebound.

Hegazi’s day went from bad to worse as he saw his second yellow for a foul on Gregory, his petulant punt into the home crowd maybe forced the referee’s hand in pulling the second yellow out.

At 2-0 and a man down there was no way back for the visitors as Millwall looked the more likely to get a third.

Key Moment:

Jay Rodriguez’ penalty miss on the hour was huge. A chance to bring his side level against the run of play would’ve dented the Lions confidence going into the last half hour. Buoyed by the miss Harris’ men soon doubled their lead.

Man of the Match:

Ben Thompson-

It seems every week the midfielder picks up the gong. He does it all, and all including the physical stuff. His contribution for the second could go down as what kept the Lions up this season Huge goal. His energy rubs off on those around him. Pompey knew what a player he was, the Lions faithful do now too, if they hadn’t already.

Teams:

Millwall:Martin, Meredith, Cooper, Pearce(Capt), Romeo, Tunnicliffe, Leonard, Thompson, Marshall, Wallace, Gregory (Subs: Archer, McLaughlin, Williams, Elliott, Morison, O’Brien, Skalak)

West Brom: Johnstone, Johansen, Hegazi, Holgate, Adarabioyo, Brunt, Livermore, Robson-Kanu, Townsend, Gayle, Rodriguez (Subs: Bon, Gibbs, Mears, Leko, Edwards, Harper, Murphy)