Leeds United 1-0 Millwall

Alex Mowatt (right) rifled in a free-kick for the sixth goal of his career

Alex Mowatt's superb free-kick gave Leeds United victory over relegation-threatened Millwall.

The Whites eased their own relegation concerns and moved eight points clear of the drop zone as Mowatt struck in the 39th minute.

Steve Morison could have added a second, but lost out in a one-on-one.

And Millwall should have grabbed an equaliser but Martyn Woolford fired over, meaning the Lions are a point adrift of safety.

Leeds, meanwhile, can start thinking of looking upwards after a fourth win from five games that puts them 12th in the table.

Millwall had only won once at Elland Road since 1988, so it was no surprise that the hosts started brightly with Sam Byram shooting wide.

And while Ian Holloway's side had periods of controlled possession, the closest they came to an early opening was a tame effort from Stefan Maierhofer.

Mowatt, a day after his 20th birthday, forced the breakthrough before half-time, rasping in a left-footed free-kick that took a slight defection on its way into the net.

And even though Morison had chances against his former club to score his first goal of the season, including a presentable header, Millwall could have left with a point had Woolford shot on target after Giuseppe Bellusci gave away possession.

Leeds manager Neil Redfearn:

"Steve (Morison) will score. I genuinely believe that. I thought he was outstanding today. He led the line well and worked so hard.

"The game was tougher than it should have been. I thought we were going to blow them away. It was as dynamic a start as we have had at home for a long time but they sucked us into a scrap at times.

"Other teams could go on a run but we are looking at some of the sides above us and maybe bridging that gap."

Ian Holloway's Millwall failed to win a third away game in succession