Millwall missed the chance to move into the automatic promotion places as Blackburn Rovers came from behind to win 2-1. Luke Cundle's overhead kick early in the second half appeared to have set the Lions on course for a fifth straight victory, but the game turned when Zak Sturge was sent off for bringing down Yuki Ohashi.
From that moment, Blackburn grew into the contest and struck twice in the final 10 minutes through Mathias Jorgensen. His quick-fire brace secured Rovers' first win in five games, lifted them to 19th and moved them three points clear of the relegation zone, while Millwall dropped to fourth and remained two points behind Middlesbrough in second.
An opening shaped by tension more than fluency
Middlesbrough's earlier draw with Bristol City had opened the door for Millwall to climb into the top two for the first time all season, yet the home side never looked settled before the break. They failed to register a shot in the first half and the atmosphere grew edgy as a sluggish start denied them any early control.