Tim Cahill's 10th minute strike was enough to settle this battle of the Nationwide Division promotion possibles.

While Manchester City and Wolves seem to be probables to make the step up to the Premiership, Millwall kept the pressure on the top two, completing a notable double to leapfrog their close rivals into third place.

Without a game in the preceding 10 days, Millwall took the opportunity to jet off to the same Spanish training camp that served them so well last season. A break at the same stage of the Lions' Nationwide Division Two Championship winning campaign saw Mark McGhee's men return refreshed to embark on a 12-game unbeaten run that clinched the title.

West Brom's FA Cup exploits meant that they did not have the luxury of such a respite before this important game, and on the evidence of the first 45 minutes the Lions certainly looked to have gained the upper hand.

Slicker passing, aligned to some uncompromising challenges, saw Millwall apply early pressure that eventually led to Cahill giving them the lead.

Steven Reid's midweek goal in only his second Republic of Ireland appearance against Russia boosted everyone at the club, especially as team-mate Richard Sadlier had come off the bench for his first full Irish cap.

And it was Reid's swirling free-kick that proved inch-perfect for the Aussie midfielder Cahill, who powered home a header for his 13th goal of the season.

Sadlier had already spurned a glorious opening as Christophe Kinet challenged Russell Hoult for a high ball that eluded them both, but came at the striker too quickly to make a proper headed connection.

The Baggies had not threatened the Lions goal until a penalty award gave them the perfect route back into the game.

Jordao's trickery got the better of David Livermore, whose lunge initially seemed to have escaped referee Paul Armstrong's attentions, until a re-think saw him point to the spot.

Neil Clement, however, became yet another victim of Tony Warner's remarkable penalty saving exploits as the former Liverpool keeper kept out his sixth of seven penalties awarded against his side.

The Lions seemed to gain strength from their respite and Reid's surging run and cross should have been finished off by Neil Harris. Baggies defender Tony Butler almost turned Stuart Nethercott's far post header into his own net as Millwall continued to carve out the better of the few clear-cut chances.

A double half-time substitution by Gary Megson injected new life into the visitors, with a disappointing Scott Dobie giving way to Daniele Dichio.

But despite concerted pressure Albion failed to seriously trouble the Millwall rearguard.

Apart from Clement's penalty, Megson's men could not manage a single shot on target and the Lions defence coped comfortably, apparently fully prepared to allow the Baggies to play in front of them.

Megson admitted that his side were as poor in the first half as they had been all season and their failure to defend set-pieces had once again cost them dear.

Had Mr Armstrong been strong enough to award a second penalty when Nethercott appeared to bring down Jason Roberts, the result may have been different. But the Lions luck held as they administered West Brom a dose of their own medicine with a 1-0 win

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