Millwall's relegation fears have deepened after an Adam le Fondre double gave Bolton Wanderers a 2-0 victory over them at the Macron Stadium this afternoon.
The Lions applied pressure in the opening stages as Aidan O'Brien's cross caused havoc in the Trotters' box before it was scrambled clear, but this would prove to be a rare attack.
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Bolton almost had an opening at the other end moments later, Le Fondre collecting Liam Feeney's cross at the near post and testing David Forde in the Millwall goal.
Le Fondre broke the deadlock for Bolton in the 10th minute, latching on to a long ball from Tim Ream before beating his marker and finishing well.
Bolton pressed for the remainder of the first half, and the Lions defence crumbled again moments before half time as Eidur Gudjohnsen's through-ball sent Le Fondre clear, and the former Cardiff City man curled his second of the afternoon into the top corner to give the visitors a mountain to climb.
Millwall moved the ball around better in the early stages of the second half, but it was Bolton asking all of the questions. Tom Walker almost added a third for them in the 53rd minute when he gained possession inside the area before dragging a shot wide.
The Lions almost pulled one back in the 75th minute when O'Brien's snapshot from the edge of the box found the target, but Bolton goalkeeper Ben Amos was equal to the strike.
Neil Lennon's men were unlucky not to extend their lead late on as they had two golden opportunities to do so, Craig Davies hitting over from close range in the 87th minute and Walker forcing an acrobatic save from Forde at the death.
The result leaves Millwall looking odds-on for League One football next season, with nine points now separating them from a position of safety.
Mark Langshaw
