Match ends, Leeds United 1, Millwall 0.
LeedsLeeds United1MillwallMillwall0
Alex Mowatt's superb free-kick gave Leeds United victory over relegation-threatened Millwall.
The Whites eased their own relegation concerns and moved eight points clear of the drop zone as Mowatt struck in the 39th minute.
Steve Morison could have added a second, but lost out in a one-on-one.
And Millwall should have grabbed an equaliser but Martyn Woolford fired over, meaning the Lions are a point adrift of safety.
Leeds, meanwhile, can start thinking of looking upwards after a fourth win from five games that puts them 12th in the table.
Millwall had only won once at Elland Road since 1988, so it was no surprise that the hosts started brightly with Sam Byram shooting wide.
And while Ian Holloway's side had periods of controlled possession, the closest they came to an early opening was a tame effort from Stefan Maierhofer.
Mowatt, a day after his 20th birthday, forced the breakthrough before half-time, rasping in a left-footed free-kick that took a slight defection on its way into the net.
And even though Morison had chances against his former club to score his first goal of the season, including a presentable header, Millwall could have left with a point had Woolford shot on target after Giuseppe Bellusci gave away possession.
Leeds manager Neil Redfearn:
"Steve (Morison) will score. I genuinely believe that. I thought he was outstanding today. He led the line well and worked so hard.
"The game was tougher than it should have been. I thought we were going to blow them away. It was as dynamic a start as we have had at home for a long time but they sucked us into a scrap at times.
"Other teams could go on a run but we are looking at some of the sides above us and maybe bridging that gap."
Line-ups
Leeds
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Silvestri
- 15Wootton
- 3Bamba
- 5Bellusci
- 21Taylor
- 7Murphy
- 23L CookBooked at 84mins
- 2Byram
- 4AustinBooked at 45minsSubstituted forAntenucciat 70'minutes
- 27MowattBooked at 76mins
- 19Morison
Substitutes
- 8Sharp
- 9Oliveira Tavares
- 10Cani
- 12Berardi
- 13Taylor
- 33Sloth
- 34Antenucci
Millwall
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Forde
- 4Cummings
- 2Dunne
- 5Hooiveld
- 21Harding
- 6Williams
- 31Martinez CerveraBooked at 48minsSubstituted forUpsonat 60'minutes
- 7Martin
- 8FabbriniSubstituted forFullerat 60'minutes
- 11Woolford
- 42MaierhoferBooked at 35minsSubstituted forGregoryat 45'minutes
Substitutes
- 9Gregory
- 15Upson
- 16Beevers
- 19Fuller
- 22O'Brien
- 26Abdou
- 27Archer
- Referee:
- Paul Tierney
- Attendance:
- 24,000
Match Stats
Home TeamLeedsAway TeamMillwall
- Possession
- Home52%
- Away48%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away13
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away1
- Corners
- Home6
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home17
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Leeds United 1, Millwall 0.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Steve Morison (Leeds United) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sam Byram.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ed Upson (Millwall) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Shaun Cummings with a cross.
Post update
Foul by Luke Murphy (Leeds United).
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Ed Upson (Millwall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. Steve Morison (Leeds United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mirco Antenucci.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ricardo Fuller (Millwall) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
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Attempt missed. Scott Wootton (Leeds United) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Steve Morison with a headed pass following a corner.
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Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Alan Dunne.
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Alex Mowatt (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Ed Upson (Millwall).
Booking
Lewis Cook (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Lewis Cook (Leeds United).
Post update
Lee Martin (Millwall) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Attempt missed. Mirco Antenucci (Leeds United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Alex Mowatt.
Post update
Giuseppe Bellusci (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Lee Gregory (Millwall).
Post update
Attempt missed. Luke Murphy (Leeds United) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Steve Morison.
Post update
Sam Byram (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
