Simon Donnelly scored a quickfire double in the second half to boost Sheffield Wednesday's survival hopes against 10-man Millwall at The New Den.

The former Celtic midfielder, who has been plagued by injuries during his time at Hillsborough, blasted home the opener in the 72nd minute.

The Lions were still reeling from the setback when - just 60 seconds later - Donnelly volleyed a superb shot into the bottom corner.

Their miserable afternoon was completed when Stephen McPhail - making his debut following a loan switch from Leeds in midweek - was dismissed for violent conduct in the 81st minute.

Sean Dyche pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute but it proved a consolation effort.

The Owls were without influential skipper Trond Soltvedt, who is out for at least another two weeks with an ankle ligament injury, but Terry Yorath's side started brightly and Donnelly went close with a fierce 18-yard drive in the third minute.

The Lions, who slipped to a deflating 3-0 defeat against Portsmouth last Saturday, made a slow start but Paul Ifill tried to lift his team-mates with a well-struck effort which just flew wide.

Wednesday launched another quick counter-attack in the 26th minute and Stuart Nethercott was forced to scramble clear Matt Hamshaw's low centre.

Mark McGhee's promotion hopefuls gained confidence as the first half progressed and Robert Ryan's deep centre caused panic in the Owls defence before David Burrows blasted the ball clear.

However, Wednesday threatened again in the 34th minute when Alan Quinn surged into the penalty area before blasting an effort narrowly wide.

The quicksilver Irish winger also fired wide in the 40th minute after another trademark run.

The pace of the game slowed in the second half, but Wednesday's wayward shooting continued as Hamshaw drilled a shot wide before Quinn blasted his third attempt high over the bar.

Millwall responded with an effort from Tim Cahill which never really threatened Kevin Pressman's goal.

But Donnelly's two-goal blast left the home fans stunned, before McPhail received his marching orders.

Dyche's late goal proved to be a consolation effort for the Londoners, whose automatic promotion hopes look to be fading.

Teams:

Millwall: Warner, Reid, Nethercott, Ward (Hearn 83), Dyche, Bull, Cahill, Ifill (Harris 82), Ryan (Kinet 60), McPhail, Claridge.

Subs Not Used: Gueret, Dunne.

Sent Off: McPhail (81).

Goals: Dyche 82.

Sheff Wed: Pressman, Haslam, Burrows, Broomes, Maddix, Quinn, Hamshaw (Morrison 71), Armstrong, McLaren, Donnelly (Crane 88), Kuqi.

Subs Not Used: Bonvin, Sibon, Heald.

Goals: Donnelly 74, 75.

Att: 13,074

Ref: P Alcock (Halstead).