Millwall ended their home jinx to keep alive their hopes of reaching the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs with victory over relegation-threatened Plymouth at the New Den.
Midfielder Peter Sweeney gave Millwall, who went into the game having won just one of their previous nine matches, a half-time lead and striker Barry Hayles added a second 11 minutes into the second half.
Seven minutes later Danny Dichio, restored to the starting line-up after a groin injury, added a third from Sweeney's cross to earn Dennis Wise's side their first home triumph since Boxing Day and help end a four-game winless run.
Plymouth - three points above the drop zone and having lost three of their last four games - have now not won on their travels since November 6, conceding 14 goals in their last four road games.
Canada international Josh Simpson, fit again after toe and back injuries, squandered a glorious chance to put Millwall ahead inside the opening minute as he blazed over the bar when well positioned following a fine run.
Plymouth hit back and Bjarni Gudjonsson - still looking to open his account since his free-transfer switch from Coventry - volleyed over the bar in the 14th minute.
But Millwall opened the scoring in the 15th minute. Sloppy defending by Plymouth allowed Dichio time to cross the ball and Sweeney arrived unmarked to tuck the ball away for his first goal since February 2004.
Micky Evans, one of three changes made by Argyle boss Bobby Williamson following their 5-1 defeat at Sunderland, attempted to restore parity within minutes but he could not keep his volley down as the first half saw few scoring
opportunities.
Millwall doubled their advantage in the 56th minute. Dichio was again the provider, this time setting up strike partner Hayles for his ninth goal of the season and his first in eight games.
Simpson was denied by a fine save from Luke McCormick before Dichio, himself, got on the scoresheet in the 63rd minute as he headed home Sweeney's centre for his eighth goal of the campaign.
Hayles and Marvin Elliott both fired wide as Millwall attempted to add a fourth while Plymouth could not wait for the final whistle to blow.
Teams
Millwall Marshall, Paul Robinson, Lawrence, Ward, Craig,
Sweeney, Livermore, Morris (Elliott 50), Simpson (Quigley 74),
Dichio (May 85), Hayles.
Subs Not Used: Serioux, Peeters.
Goals: Sweeney 15, Hayles 56, Dichio 63.
Plymouth McCormick, Connolly, Coughlan, Aljofree, Gilbert,
Gudjonsson (Capaldi 66), Buzsaky, Wotton,
Norris (Blackstock 90), Taylor, Evans (Chadwick 68).
Subs Not Used: Lasley, Doumbe.
Booked: Gudjonsson.
Att: 11,465
Ref: P Melin (Surrey).
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