Millwall 2 Peterborough 0

The Lions went into the clash at The Den needing nothing less than three points and they didn't disappoint an expectant crowd.

From the off Millwall tore into their opponents and earned a spot kick when Dave Martin was upended in the box in the 35th minute.

Gary Alexander stepped up to take the penalty only to see his effort saved by Peterborough keeper Joe Lewis.

But referee Keith Woolmer was summoned over by his linesman, who had spotted Lewis moving off his line before the ball was kicked, and the kick was ordered to be retaken.

Alexander again stepped up to take the kick, and again Lewis pulled off a good save.

But again the linesman spotted an infringement by the keeper and Mr Woolmer ordered the kick be taken for a third time.

Martin replaced Alexander and he made no mistake as he blasted the ball high into the net past Lewis's despairing dive.

It was no less than Millwall deserved and they continued to take the game to the visitors.

They were rewarded when the doubled their lead on 58 minutes.

Martin picked up the ball and bore down on the box before floating over an inviting cross for Jason Price to slot home from close-range.

The home defence, led by Zak Whitbread, ably coped with Peterborough's free-scoring forward line and Lions fans began to enjoy the prospect of a long-overdue home victory.

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett was delighted with the win, and unsurprisingly he is still backing his side to claim the second automatic promotion spot.

He said: "It was a good performance and a great atmosphere tonight.

"I thought it was a good advert for League One. We deserved the win - everyone played well, right through the team.

"I think automatic promotion is a realistic target for us.

"We've three games to play like this to the end of the season there's no reason we can't do it."

The win made up for Friday's 2-0 defeat at Yeovil.

Millwall: Forde, Duffy (Fuseini, 73), Barron, Bolder, Whitbread, Craig, Abdou, Martin, Laird, Alexander, Price. Unused subs: Pidgeley, Harris, Grabban, Hackett.

Booked: Alexander.

Goals: Martin 25, pen, Price 58

Peterborough United: Lewis, Martin, Blackett (Westwood, 46), Zakawani, Lee, Whelpdale (Batt, 60), Coutts, Keats, Boyd (Green, 79), McLean, Mackail-Smith. Unused subs: McKeown, Torres.

Booked: McLean, Lee.

Attendance: 10,518.

Referee: Keith Woolmer.