Millwall dominated the second half but were unable to make their superiority count as Stephen Hughes' strike plunged the home side deeper into the relegation mire.

Hughes had struck just after the half-hour mark to give Leicester a deserved first-half lead at the New Den.

Millwall started strongly and won a corner inside the opening minute but Alan Dunne's flag-kick to the far post was gathered comfortably by Leicester goalkeeper Paul Henderson.

Leicester, by no means completely clear of danger themselves, won an early free-kick when Iain Hume was fouled by David Livermore, but Gareth Williams' free-kick was cleared by Marvin Elliott.

Millwall enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges and won a second corner after 12 minutes, taken by Livermore to the far post where Henderson punched clear.

Despite plenty of effort from both sides, though, chances remained at a premium in the opening 20 minutes as a series of free-kicks disrupted play.

But it was from a free-kick that the home side carved out the first opportunity of the game after 25 minutes.

Patrick Kisnorbo was penalised for handball and Livermore powered in a shot from 25 yards only to be denied by Henderson.

Millwall's Zak Whitbread became the first player to be booked shortly afterwards for a rash challenge on Hume and from the resulting free-kick Leicester went within a whisker of scoring when Joey Gudjonsson rattled the crossbar from distance.

The home side made an early change on the half-hour mark, bringing on Marvin Williams for Carl Asaba, but just moments later Leicester were ahead when Gareth Williams found Hughes who coolly lobbed the ball home.

Millwall started the second half strongly as they looked to get on level terms and Kisnorbo cleared at the near post from Livermore's 47th-minute corner.

The home side threatened again just two minutes later. Colin Cameron was fouled by Kisnorbo and Henderson had to be alert to keep out Livermore's free-kick.

Henderson was again in the thick of the action after 55 minutes as he punched clear from Livermore's corner, with the home side continuing to attack at every opportunity.

Millwall made a second change just before the hour mark, Barry Hayles replacing Jamie Vincent. And they were almost level a couple of minutes later. Livermore's corner to the far post found Paul Robinson whose close-range header was superbly tipped over by the impressive Henderson to preserve his side's slender advantage.

David Tuttle's side continued to throw everything at the visitors but despite winning a succession of corners and free-kicks the Leicester defence held firm to claim the three points.

Teams

Millwall Marshall, Lawrence, Vincent (Hayles 58), Whitbread,Paul Robinson, Elliott, Dunne, Livermore, Cameron, May,Asaba (Williams 31).

Subs Not Used: Doyle, Phillips, Braniff.

Booked: Whitbread, May.

Leicester Henderson, Kisnorbo, McCarthy, Johansson, Stearman,Maybury, Hughes, Williams, Gudjonsson, Hume (Welsh 84),Fryatt (O'Grady 66).

Subs Not Used: Douglas, Brevett, Gerrbrand.

Booked: O'Grady.

Goals: Hughes 31.

Att: 10,523

Ref: M Thorpe (Suffolk).