Ipswich Town earned a 3-1 victory against Millwall at The Den this afternoon to climb up to second in the Championship table.
Noel Hunt bagged a brace inside 15 first-half minutes to set the Tractor Boys on their way, although Mageye Gueye gave his side some real hope shortly before the interval when he cooly converted.
Despite being the better side for large parts in the second period, Millwall were unable to capitalise on their positive play, allowing substitute Jonathan Parr to wrap up the points 13 minutes from time.
Relive how the action unfolded in South London with Sports Mole's live text coverage.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Championship meeting between Millwall and Ipswich Town at The Den.
The hosts are in desperate need of a victory this afternoon having slipped into the division's bottom three, while the Tractor Boys themselves will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing week. Defeats against Derby County and Southampton has led to Mick McCarthy's men falling slightly off the pace in the league while also dropping out of the FA Cup, although a win today will see them move back into the automatic promotion zone once more.
UPDATE: The day's early kickoff saw Nottingham Forest produce a stunning late turnaround against East Midlands rivals Derby County to claim a 2-1 win, meaning that Ipswich now have the chance to reclaim their place in the top two with victory here today.
All attention now turns to South London, though, ahead of what should be an entertaining clash at The Den. With kickoff fast approaching, let's take a look at how these two sides line up...
TEAM NEWS!
MILLWALL STARTING XI: Forde; Cummings, Nelson, Webster, Harding; Gueye, Abdou, Powell, Fabbrini; Gregory, Maierhofer
IPSWICH TOWN STARTING XI: Bialkowski, Chambers, Smith, Berra, Mings, Anderson, S.Hunt, Bru, Tabb, Murphy, N.Hunt
Starting with the Millwall team, then, and Ian Holloway has opted to hand a debut to three players this afternoon, starting with Stefan Maierhofer in attack. Elsewhere, 19-year-old academy graduate Sid Nelson captains the team, as the Lions boss looks to add some freshness to his out-of-sorts side.
In terms of the visitors, they will be without Cole Skuse after the midfielder was struck down by illness overnight. David McGoldrick and Luke Hyam also miss out through injury, meanwhile, meaning that Nicky Hunt starts up top for the Tractor Boys.
BENCH WATCH!
MILLWALL SUBS: King, Shittu, Martin, Woolford, Fuller, McDonald, Wilkinson.
IPSWICH TOWN SUBS: Crowe, Parr, Stewart, Sears, Ambrose, Clarke
Just the six subs available for Ipswich, then, due to that withdrawal of Skuse who was part of the travelling party. Freddie Sears, signed from Colchester United just 24 hours ago, is named on the bench for the visitors, while Millwall boast an attacking threat among their backups in Martyn Woolford.
It says a lot about Millwall's current plight when, after a crushing 3-0 FA Cup defeat at the hands of Bradford in the week, Ian Holloway offered an apology to supporters while the travelling fans were also issued a full refund. The Lions, backed by some as surprise contenders for a playoff place this campaign under Holloway, are in real danger of relegation, needing points on the board fast.
A damaging 1-0 defeat at Blackpool last week certainly didn't help matters, and Holloway's job is surely now in danger following a run of six games without a win. In fact, during those six games, the Londoners have failed to find the net on four occasions, losing five of them. The good news is that after today Millwall, who are currently two points from safety in the bottom three, don't face another side inside the top eight until March. Now is the time to turn around their fortunes.
The setting for today's Championship clash, taken a couple of hours prior to kickoff:
While Millwall may be third from bottom, Ipswich Town have been flying this season and find themselves third from top. A draw today will see them draw level on points with Derby in second place, while a win will take them above the side they lost 1-0 to last weekend. Confidence will still be high among Town players despite their back-to-back defeats, and they pose a real threat in Daryl Murphy who currently leads the goalscoring charts with 17 strikes to his name this campaign.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: Millwall have won just one of their last five meetings against Ipswich, that coming almost a year ago to the day. That said, the Tractor Boys last won at this venue back in a League Cup tie in 2010. In the reverse fixture earlier this season, Mick McCarthy's men ran out 2-0 winners.
DID YOU KNOW? The Lions have collected the fewest home points in the division, which doesn't bode too well when today's opponents have not lost in six on the road. In fact, their defeat at the hands of Derby last weekend was their first reverse in 12 outings in all competitions, proving just how tough they have become to beat.
Well the teams are now out onto the field with kickoff just a couple of minutes away. I'm expecting an entertaining match this afternoon, although it's hard to see this one going against the form book. Ipswich boast the league's fourth best defence, keeping 23 clean sheets this campaign, while they also know how to find the net on a regular basis. Millwall will prove tough to break down, but the visitors will come out on top 2-0.
KICKOFF! Referee Graham Salisbury blows his whistle to signal the start of the game, with Millwall getting things underway.
Kevin Bru looks to get a shot away at goal in the opening couple of minutes, although he gets it all wrong with the ball flying well wide of the target in the end.
CLOSE! Fabbrini comes within inches of bagging himself a debut goal, firing narrowly wide of goal following a goalmouth scramble inside the Ipswich box. The visitors couldn't clear their lines, and were almost punished for it.
GOAL! MILLWALL 0-1 IPSWICH TOWN (N.HUNT)
What a start for Ipswich, who find themselves a goal to the good inside the opening five minutes at The Den. Stephen Hunt played in his brother to slide an angled strike beyond the reach of Forde into the bottom corner, taking his chance brilliantly.
Millwall have seen a fair bit of the ball since falling behind, looking to regain their composure following that early setback. Conceding early on was the last thing Holloway would have wanted, but there is plenty of time to turn things around.
Forde's hopeful punt up field almost falls nicely for Gregory, although Chambers read the danger well and headed the ball back to his keeper. Millwall supporters really trying to get behind their side.
Early stages, of course, but Bournemouth are currently being held by Rotherham United, meaning that as things stand Ipswich are actually top of the table.
GOAL! MILLWALL 0-2 IPSWICH TOWN (N.HUNT)
A real poacher's finish from Hunt who is on a hat-trick after just 15 minutes played in South London. It was a strange goal, with Millwall failing to clear their lines following Bru's cross from the left, and when the ball came back across goal Hunt was on hand to tap in from a few inches out to double his and his side's advantage.
How costly that early Fabbrini miss looks now. It could have been a different story entirely had he converted his chance, but since then Ipswich have raced into a two-goal lead to take command. Millwall must remain patient and avoid conceding another before half time, otherwise it will be a case of damage limitation.
It's all too easy for the Tractor Boys at the moment. If either side is going to bag the game's third goal any time soon then it's going to be them, as they continue to knock the ball around with ease.
CLOSE! It could very well have three. Millwall look incredibly shaky every time the ball comes within a close proximity to their box, and Anderson almost capitalised only for his shot to be blocked away. He followed up that attempt with a bicycle kick which was also deflected away from danger.
SAVE! Mings' cross is met by Anderson who guides the ball goalwards, but Forde was on hand to make the stop. Things could get embarrassing if they continue in this manner.
Hunt receives some treatment on the field which eats up a couple of minutes, yet as soon as play resumes it's the same old story as Millwall struggle to get up to speed. A goal for the hosts would change everything, but it's difficult to see where they is going to come from.
Very nearly a howler from Webster, who played a loose back pass back to Forde which Hunt almost latched onto. Forde managed to get to the ball first, though, knocking it against Hunt and out of play.
Ian Holloway's men earn themselves a corner, yet the delivery into the box was massively disappointing, drifting straight out of play without a player anywhere near the ball.
CHANCE! A big chance comes and goes for the hosts, who really need to make the most of these rare openings. Maierhofer cut in from the left and had three men alongside him to layoff, eventually passing to Abdou to slice wide.
CHANCES! A profligate Ipswich side have wasted a couple of decent opportunities to put the game to bed. First, Anderson skied the ball from a tight angle, opting to put his foot through it rather than bend it into the far corner. Moments later Murphy outmuscled Nelson to race through into a one-on-one position, but he failed to find the target at the end of the move.
Just six minutes to go until the interval, which will suit Millwall just fine. They need to regroup at the break in the knowledge that at 2-0 this game is still not over. Another Town goal will put paid to any hopes they have of a comeback, though.
Berra is the latest player to receive treatment on the field following a collision, breaking up the momentum that Ipswich have continued to build up throughout this half.
GOAL! MILLWALL 1-2 IPSWICH TOWN (GUEYE)
Well out of nowhere Millwall have given themselves a real foothold in this contest courtesy of Magaye Gueye's strike. It was a well worked goal from the Lions, too, as the former Everton man latched onto Maierhofer's knockdown inside the area to blast beyond Bialkowski. Game on!
That goal has certainly changed the mood inside The Dean, with Millwall supporters turning up the atmosphere a notch or two. They have given themselves hope of taking something from this game, despite looking down and out inside the opening 15 minutes.
We're into the second of three minutes added time at the end of the first half, and it is Millwall who are pushing forward in search of the game's all-important fourth goal. We will see a different type of contest following the interval.
HALF TIME: MILLWALL 1-2 IPSWICH TOWN
Referee Graham Salisbury brings the opening 45 minutes to a close; Millwall leaving the field to a good reception having showed tremendous spirit to pull a goal back which keeps this game alive.
The first chance of the game actually fell to Diego Fabbrini, who squandered his big debut moment from a few yards out by putting the ball wide. Noel Hunt then bagged a brace inside the space of nine minutes to put the visitors well and truly in command, and it perhaps should have been more. Daryl Murphy was guilty of wasting a glorious chance when put through one-on-one, failing to even hit the target with his attempt which allowed Mageye Gueye to fire Millwall back into contention shortly after.
Plenty for both managers to ponder at the break, then, in a game which is now finely balanced. You'd fancy Ipswich to find the net at least once more, though, with Millwall's defence looking dodgy each time the ball enters the final third.
BENCH WATCH!
MILLWALL SUBS: King, Shittu, Martin, Woolford, Fuller, McDonald, Wilkinson
IPSWICH TOWN SUBS: Crowe, Parr, Stewart, Sears, Ambrose, Clarke
A reminder of both sides' benches this afternoon, which could go a long way to deciding which way this game swings. Ipswich only have the six subs to chose from following Cole Skuse's withdrawal through illness.
The players are now back out onto the field with the second half just a minute or so away. The next goal really is massive in the context of things - 2-2 or 3-1 - so it will be interesting to see how the two sides approach things. Ipswich can't afford to slip up here.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Ipswich, sporting their all orange kit this afternoon, get proceedings back underway. Neither manager made a change at the break, so it's as we were.
CHANCE! Millwall survive an early scare at the start of this second half as Anderson miscues his kick in front of goal. That came after Hunt crossed for Murphy, who had his shot blocked from a yard out.
Forde turns into Manuel Neuer to race out and sweep up some danger as Ipswich continue to take control of things. I wondered how Town would approach this second half, and they have answered that question by attacking from the off.
That's not to say Millwall have been dominated in this second half, certainly not compared to the manner in which they were in large parts of the opening 45 minutes, but they are the ones of the back foot at the moment.
The Lions certainly look up for the fight, they just can't really create any openings to test their opponents. They have just had a shout for a free kick right on the edge of the Ipswich area turned down, with the referee deciding that the ball didn't hit Smith on the hand. It did.
The momentum is swinging Millwall's way as we approach the hour mark. They are beginning to ask some serious questions of Ipswich, pushing bodies forward on the attack and looking to pull back a second.
CHANCE! Cummings' cross into the box is just inches away from finding Gregory as Ipswich soak up some more Millwall pressure. In the next wave of attack Webster sent his powerful header narrowly wide. Much, much better from the hosts, who now have Ipswich looking nervously over their shoulder.
IPSWICH SUBS: Double goalscorer Noel Hunt leaves the field to a strong round of applause from the visiting supporters to be replaced by debutant Sears. Brother Stephen has also departed with Jonathan Parr on in his place.
MILLWALL SUB: Ian Holloway has also opted to roll the dice, introducing Lee Martin for Diego Fabbrini.
Millwall are still on top, as they have been for the best part of 15 minutes now, continuing to probe away in and around the opposition penalty area. Just a reminder that as things stand Ipswich are currently second in the Championship table, while Millwall remain camped inside the relegation zone.
The game has gone through a relative quiet spell over the last few minutes, with little to report back on in terms of action in the final third of the field. The longer it remains at 2-1 the more nervy Ipswich will become, you feel, although a third goal will change all that in an instant.
Murphy almost managed to get in behind the Millwall backline, only for Nelson to intercept the ball 12 yards from goal. That aside this lull in proceedings has continued.
SHOT! Sears gets his first sight on goal as an Ipswich Town player following a fine pass from Murphy, but after taking the ball in his stride he saw his powerful drive blocked by Nelson, who is really putting his body on the line for his side.
Abdou is allowed to continue his charge into the Ipswich box where he wins a corner, urging the home supporters to raise the volume levels to spur on the Lions even further. The subsequent set piece came to nothing, meanwhile, with another attacking move breaking down. Fifteen minutes to go.
GOAL! MILLWALL 1-3 IPSWICH TOWN (PARR)
After a valiant effort from Millwall in this second half, the game now appears to be all over. The two substitutes were involved in the goal, Sears' brilliant flick taking the ball into the path of Parr who did the rest by placing the ball into the bottom corner.
It may have been against the run of play but that was a fine goal from Town, and Mick McCarthy will have been particularly pleased to see debutant Sears play a prominent part in the move. The Tractor Boys just need to see out the remainder of the contest now.
MILLWALL SUB: The Lions make their second change as Fuller enters the fray in place of Cummings.
It's the travelling band of Ipswich supporters making all the noise now as dejected Millwall supporters watch on. They've seen their side grab a lifeline already this afternoon, can they do likewise in the next few minutes?
Millwall seem resigned to defeat on the whole as we enter the final five minutes, allowing Ipswich to see out this game in a far more comfortable manner than they would have done at 2-1.
MILLWALL SUB: It's a league debut for Matthew Clarke in Millwall's third and final change of the day. He replaces Anderson for the closing stages.
Both sides going through the motions now as Ipswich move ever closer to another away win. This will be a sweet victory for the East Anglian outfit which will take them up to second following Derby's defeat to rivals Nottingham Forest earlier today. As far as Millwall are concerned, it's now back to the drawing board ahead of some big fixtures coming up.
Millwall certainly gave a good account of themselves having recovered from two goals down early on, but there's no denying that Ipswich deserve the victory on the balance of play. They are now winless in seven games as home supporters pour out of The Den.
FULL TIME: MILLWALL 1-3 IPSWICH TOWN
Job done for Ipswich Town, then, as they see out the game to claim all three points. They had a minor scare during the second half after Gueye had pulled one back for his side at the end of the opening 45 minutes, but a 3-1 win seems about right on the balance of play.
Well that concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Championship fixtures. Be sure to stick around, however, as we bring you reports and reaction from each game in the division, on the day that Ipswich Town climbed back into the top two.
