Millwall continue to push for play-off spot after assertive win against Bristol City

Millwall 2-0 Bristol City: Goals from captain Steve Morison and a stunning first-half finish from Jed Wallace kept the visitors at bay

Neil Harris' men are now just a point outside the top six (Getty)

Millwall remain a point off the play-offs after a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bristol City at The Den.

Goals from captain Steve Morison and a stunning first-half finish from Jed Wallace kept the visitors at bay, in a solid display from the home side who are unbeaten here since 8 November.

Prior to kick-off both teams had the same goal difference and number of points, with only Bristol’s goals scored separating the two. It was set up to be a tight affair, although Bristol hadn’t an away win to their name in four months.

The race for a spot in the play-offs has been heating up for some time, and with five games now left to go in the Championship there is still just four points separating four teams all looking to cram into sixth place.

Steve Morison doubled the hosts' lead in the second half (Getty)

Outside the ground, police had to separate a group of opposing fans who let their emotions get the better of them. That emotion clearly spilled over into the stands, with an intense start to the game fanning the flames among certain fans.

The Den had bubbled up quickly into a cauldron of noise – every attack as it started was carried through by cheers from the crowd; every minor chance of a foul was met with a chorus of expletives and flailing arms from the stands.

It only took 10 minutes for Millwall to harness their supporters’ cheers. Ben Marshall found Wallace in space on the left-hand side of the City box. With his back to goal, he made a quick turn and sent a curling shot around the defence into the top-right corner. It was a stunning effort.

A well-organised Lions defence was almost impossible to break through for the visitors. Whenever Bristol found themselves in space, within seconds they were surrounded. It was going to take something extraordinary to get a look in.

Bristol City top scorer Bobby Reid has put away 17 league goals for this season, but hasn’t scored in five games and was rarely spotted in enough space to add to his tally.

After taking full control of the first-half, it wasn’t long into the second when Millwall doubled their lead. Lee Gregory touched back to captain Morison, who rounded a defender and slotted past Frank Fielding.

Manager Neil Harris would’ve been baffled on the touchline as to how they didn’t make it 3-0 a minute after that. With defenders on the line blocking Lee Gregory’s shot, somehow Fielding kept out Morison’s follow-up effort.

Both Joe Bryan’s free kick and a header from Marlon Pack could’ve provided the chance Bristol needed to get back into the game, but neither found a way in. The visitors in fact didn’t get a single chance on target.

Morrison could have had his second in the final 15 minutes as the Lions tried to close out the game completely. Ben Marshall’s ball across to the back post met the captain’s head, but was blocked by a Bristol defender on the line.

Millwall's next game is a trip to Bolton on Tuesday night, who are just above the relegation zone. Bristol meanwhile host Birmingham, who are only one place higher than Bolton and facing the same threat.