Crewe defeat leaves Wise playing catch-up

Millwall face a tough test at home to Sheffield United on Saturday as they bid to get their promotion hopes back on track.

Dennis Wise's side are now 10th in the Championship after a Luke Varney goal 15 minutes from time sealed a 2-1 defeat away to Crewe.

Millwall got off to the worst possible start, falling behind after just 12 seconds, when highly rated striker Dean Ashton gave Crewe the lead with his 15th goal of the season. The 21-year-old cut in past Matt Lawrence and smashed a left foot shot into the roof of the net.

Wise said: "It's not good enough. You can't start like that and hope to get away with it."

Before kick-off Millwall had two league games in hand, after their brief foray in the UEFA Cup, and six points would have lifted them into the top six. But Wise's side could have been three down before half-time.

Keeper Graham Stack flapped at a looping cross from Kenny Lunt, turning the ball onto the bar. Then Lunt swung a dangerous free-kick into the side netting.

Millwall perked up after the introduction of the lively Paul Ifill and second-half headers from strikers Barry Hayles and Scott Dobie were narrowly kept out.

As Crewe sat back, Ifill made them pay, bringing the sides level with a left-foot drive from the edge of the area.

But within five minutes Dario Gradi's men sealed their fourth victory in five games when Varney struck shortly after coming on as substitute.