Sheffield United missed out on a golden chance to keep their season alive going into the final day next week when going down to an early Jody Morris strike at Bramall Lane.

With West Ham going down at home to champions Sunderland on Friday night and Reading slipping up against Wolves, victory would have given Neil Warnock's side a realistic chance of snatching the final play-off place next weekend.

But Millwall midfielder Morris fired home into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area in the fifth minute to deal United's hopes an early blow and they never looked like overcoming the Londoners.

Phil Jagielka headed narrowly wide and Danny Webber forced Millwall goalkeeper Graham Stack into a rare save in a frantic finale, but it was too little too late for the Blades.

Although they can finish level on points with Reading and West Ham if both slip up on the final day, United have a much poorer goals difference.

Blades teenager Jonathan Forte made his first league start of the season and on-loan Danny Webber returned up front, but skipper Chris Morgan, doubtful all week with tendinitis, had to settle for a place on the bench with Rob Kozluk stepping up in his absence.

Millwall midfielder Peter Sweeney (ankle) passed a late fitness test, while Graham Stack replaced first-choice Andy Marshall in goal, the latter injuring his neck against Preston last week.

The visitors made a flying start and went ahead when Morris collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a right-foot shot into the top corner.

Morris was wayward with a 25-yard effort soon after, but the Blades responded with Michael Tonge heading wide from Phil Jagielka's cross.

Steve Kabba went close for the home side from 20 yards, not long after being booked for dissent and Millwall were dealt a blow soon after when striker Barry Hayles was forced off through injury and replaced by Ben May.

United huffed and puffed without creating any openings, although 18-year-old Forte occasionally made headway out wide and Kabba steered his close-range shot wide just before the break.

Millwall's Hayles, Marvin Elliott, David Livermore and Kevin Muscat all followed Kabba into the referee's notebook.

Other than Paul Ifill, who flashed a 25-yard shot wide, neither side created a single opening for 20 minutes after the restart as Millwall shaded possession.

Blades boss Neil Warnock swapped Forte for the more experienced Andy Liddell in the 67th minute, but Millwall almost extended their lead soon after.

Sweeney swung in a cross and Elliott's header from six yards hit the woodwork and then Ifill pulled his shot wide from the edge of the area.

Warnock then threw on skipper Morgan for Kabba in a bid to unsettle an untroubled Millwall defence and Andy Gray headed just wide from Liddell's free-kick.

Teams

Sheff Utd Kenny, Kozluk, Harley, Bromby, Jagielka, Quinn, Tonge, Forte (Liddell 67), Gray, Kabba (Morgan 73), Webber.

Subs Not Used: Montgomery, David Johnson, Thirlwell.

Booked: Kabba, Quinn.

Millwall Stack, Muscat, Phillips, Lawrence, Ward, Morris, Elliott, Ifill, Livermore, Sweeney (Simpson 90), Hayles (May 25).

Subs Not Used: Wise, Peeters, Paul Robinson.

Booked: Hayles, Elliott, Livermore, Muscat, May.

Goals: Morris 5.

Att: 19,797

Ref: L Mason (Lancashire).