Paul Reid and Paul McShane had Brighton dreaming of another Coca-Cola Championship Houdini act with the early goals which sank relegation rivals Millwall at the New Den.

Brighton, who survived the drop on the final day of last season, took the lead courtesy of Reid's neat finish and were 2-0 up inside 11 minutes through McShane's header.

The victory leaves the Seagulls a point behind their hosts and seven adrift of Sheffield Wednesday, who occupy the first safety spot and still have to visit the Withdean.

Despite being unchanged in personnel, Millwall were a pale imitation of the side that shocked Watford last week and should Brighton go down, they may well have another trip to south London to look forward to next term.

Seagulls boss Mark McGhee - who led the Lions to the Second Division title in 2001 - sprung a selection surprise upon his return to the capital by dropping captain and ever-present centre-back Guy Butters to the bench.

Winger Alex Frutos also missed out with Reid, who has been out of favour of late, and Adam El-Abd restored to an attacking 4-3-3 line-up.

And McGhee's go-for-broke policy paid off after just six minutes when Gifton Noel-Williams crossed towards Gary Hart.

Millwall goalkeeper Andy Marshall came for the ball but found Hart blocking his path and when it dropped for Reid, the Australian midfielder had time to pick his spot for his second goal of the season.

Colin Kazim-Richards then forced Marshall into a near-post save with an angled drive and from the ensuing corner Brighton doubled their lead.

Richard Carpenter swung in the cross and McShane, Brighton's on-loan Manchester United defender, bravely dived in to head past Marshall.

Jamie Vincent and David Livermore sent shots over the top as Millwall attempted to rouse themselves but Brighton continued to look the more dangerous even without Hart, who needed prolonged treatment on the sidelines for a facial injury before eventually being replaced by Joe Gatting.

Midfielder Dean Hammond headed wide before Reid almost doubled his tally with a low drive which went through Marshall's hands and rolled past the post.

Millwall finally tested Wayne Henderson when Carl Asaba prodded Marvin Elliott's cross low to the Brighton goalkeeper's left.

Marshall kept the Lions in the game and denied teenager Gatting a first career goal in spectacular fashion as the second half got under way.

Kazim-Richards' cross from the byline found Gatting, whose first-time shot from 10 yards was superbly turned away by the former Ipswich goalkeeper.

His heroics gave Millwall a lift and Barry Hayles shot narrowly wide before Henderson tipped Colin Cameron's shot over the top.

Gatting squandered another chance to put Brighton out of sight when he shot tamely wide, while at the other end Hayles skinned El-Abd to fashion a shooting opportunity, but his low effort crashed into the side-netting.

But Millwall, who have found the net just 11 times at home this season, never looked like adding to that paltry tally as Brighton held out for their first victory in 11 attempts and kept their slim survival hopes alive.

Teams

Millwall Marshall, Lawrence, Vincent (May 45), Paul Robinson,Whitbread, Elliott, Dunne, Cameron, Livermore,Asaba (Williams 45), Hayles, May (Braniff 87).

Subs Not Used: Doyle, Craig.

Booked: Paul Robinson, Cameron, Hayles.

Brighton Henderson, Hinshelwood, El-Abd, Lynch, Reid,Hart (Gatting 37), Hammond, Carpenter, McShane,Noel-Williams (Butters 87), Kazim-Richards, Gatting (Mayo 51).

Subs Not Used: Dodd, Chaigneau.

Goals: Reid 6, McShane 11.

Att: 13,209

Ref: K Hill (Hertfordshire).