Mihailo Ivanovic's second-half strike earned Millwall a hard-fought 1-0 win at Bristol City, keeping the Lions in touch with the Championship's automatic promotion places on a fractious afternoon at Ashton Gate. The Serbian forward lashed in his fourth goal of the season just before the hour to secure a fourth league away victory of the campaign and keep Alex Neil's side third, two points behind second-placed Middlesbrough.
Bristol City dominated possession and much of the territory yet could not find a way past Max Crocombe and a resolute Millwall back line marshalled by captain Jake Cooper. Their frustration boiled over in stoppage time when a potential equaliser was ruled out for offside, sparking furious protests and, moments after the final whistle, an ugly touchline confrontation involving players and staff from both clubs.
Before the chaotic finale there had been a tense, finely balanced contest between two play-off contenders, with City carving out more half-chances but Millwall always carrying a threat on the break. Crocombe's brilliant save to deny substitute Ross McCrorie in added time and an offside flag that chalked off City's last-gasp effort ultimately preserved the visitors' clean sheet and left the Robins slipping out of the top six ahead of a daunting run against Coventry, Middlesbrough and Leicester.
Robins control the ball, Lions control the box