Dion Dublin scored just 12 minutes into his Millwall debut to help keep the Lions on course for a place in the Division One play-offs.

Dublin's early strike, combined with late goals from Stuart Nethercott and Paul Ifill, gave the Londoners a vital 3-0 win over already-relegated Stockport County and boosted their hopes of a top-six finish.

Millwall boss Mark McGhee handed Dublin his Lions bow after the striker completed his loan move from Aston Villa on transfer deadline day.

Stockport player-manager Carlton Palmer kept his place in the County line-up having shaken off an ankle knock, while defender Peter Clark and winger Kevin Ellison returned to the bench following long-term injuries.

The Lions got off to a flying start, with Christophe Kinet forcing Andy Dibble to make a save after just 55 seconds.

Kinet's sixth-minute corner then provided an opening for Tim Cahill, who put his header over the crossbar.

But County were unable to stem the Millwall tide and it was Dublin who opened the scoring after good work by Ifill.

The visitors attempted to haul themselves back on level terms three minutes later but Ali Gibb's speculative long-range drive was never likely to beat Tony Warner.

However his effort seemed to inspire Stockport, who came close again in the 22nd minute when Andy Welsh forced another save out of Warner.

Millwall suffered a setback in the 34th minute when Sean Dyche was forced to leave the field injured, with Darren Ward coming on as his replacement.

However the Lions regrouped and Dublin should have scored his second goal from Kinet's 38th-minute corner, but only succeeded in heading over the crossbar.

Millwall continued to pressurise County after the interval and Ward came close to doubling their lead from another Kinet corner after 54 minutes, but his header drifted wide of the left-hand post.

Kinet himself had a chance from Steve Claridge's cross four minutes later but similarly failed to find the target.

County attempted to push forward in search of an equaliser but were so nearly caught out when Claridge's header came back off the woodwork in the 69th minute.

The hosts came close again seven minutes later but Colin Woodthorpe was on hand to clear the danger after Ward had headed goalwards from yet another Kinet corner.

But Stockport's resistance was finally broken with nine minutes left when Dublin's header for Kinet's free-kick was blocked and Nethercott stabbed in the rebound.

And Ifill made the game safe for the Lions when he crashed the ball past Dibble three minutes from time.

Teams

Millwall: Warner, Nethercott, Dyche (Ward 34), Bull, Ifill, Livermore, Reid, Kinet (Sweeney 89), Cahill, Claridge (Sadlier 83), Dublin.

Subs Not Used: Gueret, Bircham.

Goals: Dublin 12, Nethercott 81, Ifill 87.

Stockport: Dibble, Challinor, Clare, Hardiker, Briggs, McLachlan, Palmer, Woodthorpe, Gibb, Welsh, Beckett.

Subs Not Used: Spencer, Ellison, Clark, Byrne, Thomas.

Booked: Challinor.

Att: 13,570

Ref: S Tomlin (Lewes).