Cahill - back with a bang. (Getty Images)
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Millwall midfielder Tim Cahill came off the bench to score his first goal since suffering serious knee ligament damage in September and settle an enthralling clash at the New Den.
Cahill had not made a first-team appearance for over six months prior to Saturday's defeat at Wolves, but the Australian international produced a clinical finish from Dennis Wise's corner to kill off Crystal Palace.
The game was effectively meaningless with the clubs out of the fight for a play-off place but three goals during the first 45 minutes set up a frantic second half as both sides went for the win.
Palace had been fortunate to escape after just three minutes when poor marking gave Neil Harris time to drive a 20-yard shot at goalkeeper Alex Kolinko, who reacted quickly to smother the ball.
Paul Ifill also threatened the visitors' goal moments later but his effort was bravely blocked by Hayden Mullins inside the box.
The hosts continued to throw players forward and Harris fired wide of the post before Ifill went close again with an off-target attempt from the edge of the box.
However, with 14 minutes gone, Palace produced the best chance of the opening spell after a rare spell of possession in the Lions' half.
Midfielder Shaun Derry swung a dangerous corner into the penalty area and Steven Thompson rose unmarked to hammer a header goalwards, which Lions keeper Tony Warner tipped round the post at full stretch.
And eight minutes later, Palace took an unlikely lead with a quality strike from Dougie Freedman. The Scottish striker collected the ball outside the box and drove a stinging shot past Warner and into the bottom corner of the net.
Millwall midfielder Wise was shown the first yellow card of the game for a typically fierce challenge on Freedman, but the home side were gifted an equaliser eight minutes before half-time.
Kolinko clattered Ifill inside the area with a badly-timed challenge, and Harris made no mistake with a low finish from the penalty spot.
And in the 43rd minute, Mark McCammon headed home a corner from Wise to give the Lions an unlikely advantage at the break.
Millwall's hard work, however, was undone four minutes after the restart when quick build up from Palace forced Andy Roberts to turn the ball into his own net under pressure.
The goal gave the visitors confidence and Danny Butterfield forced Warner into a decent save from 30 yards before Tommy Black's strike also tested the Millwall keeper.
But with 16 minutes to go, substitute Cahill steered a right-foot shot into the net following another dangerous corner from Wise to give Millwall the points.
Teams
Millwall Warner, Lawrence (Cahill 52), Ryan, Nethercott, Ward,
Ifill, Livermore, Wise, Roberts, Harris (Claridge 82), McCammon.
Subs Not Used: Gueret, Braniff, Craig.
Booked: Wise, McCammon.
Goals: Harris 39 pen, McCammon 43, Cahill 74.
Crystal Palace Kolinko, Butterfield, Granville, Powell,
Mullins, Gray (Watson 45), Routledge, Derry,
Thomson (Williams 88), Black, Freedman.
Subs Not Used: Berthelin, Borrowdale, Hunt.
Goals: Freedman 22, Roberts 49 og.
Att: 10,670
Ref: P Prosser (Gloucestershire).
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