In-form Millwall maintained their push for the play-offs with a shock win over Coca-Cola Championship leaders Ipswich at the New Den.

The Lions, now with 10 points from their last four games, opened the scoring with their only shot of the first half through substitute Barry Hayles just before the break.

Danny Dichio extended the lead with a neat finish, but Shefki Kuqi diverted Kevin Horlock's shot home just past the hour to put Town back into the game.

But with Ipswich pushing forward in search of an equaliser Scott Dobie latched on to a long ball and sealed the points 11 minutes from time.

The Lions got off to the worst possible start as Paul Ifill limped off with what looked like a hamstring injury after just 10 minutes.

Former Fulham striker Hayles, who dropped to the bench for returning skipper Kevin Muscat in the only change to the side that drew with Leeds, slotted into the right side of midfield.

Dobie created the first opportunity from just outside the box but he dragged his effort wide, although the visitors also went close to breaking the deadlock seconds later only for defender Mark Phillips to get in the way of Darren Bent's shot.

Bent was causing the home defence all sorts of problems and he forced former Town goalkeeper Andy Marshall into making the first save of the match with a shot on the turn following neat work from Ian Westlake.

The Lions were rocked by a second injury four minutes before the break when Matt Lawrence came on for Darren Ward.

But after a delay in which the assistant referee was replaced, the visitors' defence were caught napping two minutes into first-half stoppage time.

Hayles latched onto a long ball and clipped a shot over advancing goalkeeper Kelvin Davis for his first goal in eight matches.

Millwall extended their lead seven minutes after the restart as skipper Muscat, back from suspension, sent in a cross for Dichio.

The former Sunderland striker showed great control before side-footing the ball beyond Davis.

But Town, unbeaten in their last four games prior to the clash in south London, reduced the arrears just 10 minutes later.

Westlake hooked the ball to the far post where Jason De Vos played it back across goal for Horlock to fire in a shot which took a huge deflection off Kuqi on its way into the back of the net.

Finland international Kuqi should have levelled matters moments later when he was sent clear but although he lifted the ball over Marshall his effort fell the wrong side of the upright.

Dichio nearly grabbed his second when he just failed to connect with a cross from player-manager Dennis Wise, who brought himself on to shore up the midfield for the ineffectual Peter Sweeney.

Ipswich were starting to lay siege to the home side's goal but it was Millwall who restored their two-goal lead with a counter-attack as Dobie latched on to a clearance from substitute Matt Lawrence before firing home.

Joe Royle's men pressed hard in the last 10 minutes and totally dominated the Lions, but the Londoners held on for an impressive victory.

Teams

Millwall Marshall, Muscat, Phillips, Ward (Lawrence 42), Livermore, Ifill (Hayles 12), Morris, Elliott, Sweeney (Wise 64), Dichio, Dobie.

Subs Not Used: Stack, Serioux.

Booked: Lawrence, Hayles.

Goals: Hayles 45, Dichio 52, Dobie 79.

Ipswich Davis, Wilnis, Naylor, De Vos, Richards (Magilton 56), Miller, Horlock (Karbassiyoon 85), Westlake, Currie, Bent (Bowditch 88), Kuqi.

Subs Not Used: Counago, Supple.

Booked: Kuqi.

Goals: Kuqi 62.

Att: 14,532

Ref: P Armstrong (Berkshire).