Frank Simek's controversial goal settled a feisty relegation six-pointer as Sheffield Wednesday boosted their Coca-Cola Championship survival hopes at the expense of Millwall.

American full-back Simek struck in the 63rd minute, just moments after Millwall thought they had taken the lead - only to be denied by the referee's whistle - and with half their team still celebrating at the wrong end of the pitch.

Wednesday, complete with captain Lee Bullen in goal for the entire second half following an injury to David Lucas, then held out to record what could be a priceless victory come May.

Lions boss David Tuttle handed a full debut to £125,000 Dutchman Berry Powel, and he caused mild early panic in the Wednesday area with a neat turn before the ball broke to Marvin Elliott who thumped a shot high and wide.

Lucas was then called into action to keep out a powerful Elliott header from Craig's corner as Millwall pressed.

Wednesday were happy to attack on the break and their best first-half chance fell to Corr, whose shot on the turn was bravely blocked by Andy Marshall.

The home keeper managed to get to his feet in time to keep out Deon Burton's follow-up.

Millwall roused themselves as the interval approached, and Elliott just failed to get a head on a dangerous Jody Morris cross before Lucas, who had received prolonged treatment just moments earlier, failed to get back up after keeping out a Powel shot and left the field on a stretcher with defender Bullen donning the gloves.

On-loan West Brom winger Lloyd Dyer was handed his home debut at half-time in place of Morris, with Tuttle eager to test the emergency keeper.

And Dyer immediately sent in an angled shot that was comfortably gathered by Bullen.

The game exploded into life on the hour when Richard Wood escaped with a yellow card for bringing down Powel.

Bullen tipped David Livermore's free-kick onto the bar and over before the controversy erupted.

Tony Craig's corner flew straight over Bullen and into the net as a host of players attacked the ball.

As half the Millwall team ran to celebrate with Craig, referee Steve Tanner blew for a free-kick and Wednesday broke upfield.

After a messy goalmouth scramble the ball finally fell to former Arsenal trainee Simek, who rifled the ball past Marshall for the first goal of his professional career.

Burton and Brunt both squandered chances to double the lead while the aggrieved hosts failed to muster a decent shot on target in the closing 30 minutes as Bullen held out for an unlikely clean sheet and Wednesday a vital three points.

Teams

Millwall Marshall, Lawrence, Robinson, Whitbread, Craig,Dunne (May 70), Elliott, Morris (Dyer 45), Livermore, Powel,Williams (Braniff 89).

Subs Not Used: Doyle, Ifil.

Booked: Elliott.

Sheff Wed Lucas (Diallo 44), Simek, Bullen, Wood, Gilbert,Brunt, Whelan, Folly, O'Brien, Burton, Corr (Tudgay 82).

Subs Not Used: Best, Partridge, MacLean.

Booked: Folly, Wood, Bullen, Whelan.

Goals: Simek 63.

Att: 11,896

Ref: S Tanner (Somerset).