MARLON King’s double dealt Millwall’s play-off hopes a major blow at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday.

The controversial striker struck an early opener before a superb Andros Townsend solo goal leveled the tie.

But the Lions’ cause was dented by Neil Harris’ reckless stamp which led to him seeing red just two minutes after coming on as a sub.

The 33-year-old needlessly stood on Aron Gunnarsson off the ball with the score still level and his side on top.

Mr Millwall’s moment of madness proved costly as King snatched the win late on to leave the Londoners four points off sixth spot.

Lions boss Kenny Jackett admitted: “I've got no complaints with the referee today.

“I don't know what the reason for it was but I can’t have any arguments with what he decided to do.

“We have had two sending offs in as many weeks. I have not spoken to Neil at length but I will.”

The Lions are now faced with a striker shortage following Kevin Lisbie’s injury and the suspensions of Steve Morison and now Harris.

Jackett’s selection woes were also not helped by the early withdrawal of captain Paul Robinson in the warm-up.

A depleted Millwall were slow off the mark here and gifted the home side an opener on seven minutes.

Darren Purse, deputising for the injured Robinson, squared a pass into the path of King, who coolly rounded Forde and slotted home.

The visitors responded with two long range James Henry efforts which failed to really trouble Keirnan Westwood.

On the stroke of half-time, Henry’s surging run picked out Andros Townsend, who cut in from the left and drilled home a deserved equaliser.

Jackett gambled at the interval by introducing fans favourite Harris for Jimmy Abdou as the Lions went in search of the win.

But seconds later the forward’s rash stamp on Gunnarsson saw him receive his marching orders before he even touched the ball.

Millwall’s 10-men gallantly attempted to hold on but King made the most of the Sky Blues’ numerical advantage, sweeping home from six yards to rob the Lions of a vital point.

Jackett said: “Today was a missed opportunity. I didn't think it was a losing performance away from home.

“Our front two were not playing today for different reasons, we lost our captain in the warm-up and I think it perhaps showed in the tentative start to our game.

“We gave a bad goal away to put us 1-0 down but we clawed our way back into the game with 11 and then with 10 we did very well.

“The players put on a good show but right now there is a sense of frustration for me because we were unlucky to get nothing out of the game whatsoever.”

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Millwall: Forde, Dunne (Marquis 90), Barron, Abdou (Harris 46), Purse, Ward, Townsend, Mkandawire, Trotter, McQuoid (Bouazza 70), Henry. Subs not used: Mildenhall, Craig, Hackett. Att: 16,354.