Marvin Williams took advantage of a defensive howler to grab his fifth goal of the season and give relegated Millwall a 1-0 win over Burnley at the New Den.

James O'Connor's error and Williams' subsequent intervention gave the Lions the lead shortly before half-time and Burnley failed to muster the attacking edge needed to bring themselves back into the game thereafter.

Barry Cogan's break down the Millwall right led to the first chance of the afternoon but Will Hendry tried to lift his shot over the keeper and put too much height on the ball, which ballooned over the crossbar.

Andy Gray carved out Burnley's response at the other end and he fired a more accurate shot towards goal, only to see Millwall goalkeeper Colin Doyle make a comfortable save.

An uncompromising Frank Sinclair tackle on Williams earned Millwall a free-kick, which Cogan whipped into the box and Williams headed into the arms of Burnley keeper Brian Jensen.

A low turn-out created a reserve game atmosphere at the New Den and, as the first half drew on, the football being played did little to remind the crowd they were watching a Championship match.

Burnley suffered a setback with 10 minutes remaining in the half when John McGreal was taken off to receive treatment for a back injury and he was replaced by John Spicer.

The substitute made an immediate impact with a raiding run down the right flank from his full-back position and Gray was unable to finish when the ensuing cross flashed past him with the goal at his mercy.

Gray's misery was compounded shortly before the break when a poor header back to Jensen by O'Connor allowed Williams to steal possession and loft the ball over the helpless Danish keeper.

Both sides emerged with fresh urgency in the second half and quickly produced chances at either end.

Marvin Elliott sent a rasping drive towards goal from 25 yards, only to see it go wide of the post and at the other end, Ricketts tried an almost identical effort but came no closer to scoring.

Gray, still keen to make up for the chance he failed to take earlier, drove a low shot towards goal from 20 yards that was deflected wide off the legs of Millwall's Paul Robinson.

Burnley sent on Wade Elliott for Ricketts as they looked to carve out openings and the substitute was soon making chances for himself, sending a 25-yard shot just wide after a mazy dribble.

Further chances fell to Gray and Cogan, before Michael Duff squandered Burnley's last chance to equalise as close range header was sent into the arms of Doyle in the dying seconds.

Teams:

Millwall Doyle, Phillips, Paul Robinson,Whitbread (Pooley 60), Craig, Cogan, Elliott, Hendry,Williams (Trevor Robinson 90), May, Powel (Fangueiro 81).

Subs Not Used: Weston, Brooks.

Booked: Williams.

Goals: Williams 45.

Burnley Jensen, Duff, McGreal (Spicer 38), Sinclair, Harley,Mahon, James O'Connor, Hyde, Branch, Ricketts (Elliott 63),Gray.

Subs Not Used: Karbassiyoon, Garreth O'Connor, Lafferty.

Booked: Branch, Spicer.

Att: 7,780

Ref: C Penton (Sussex).