Second-half goals courtesy of the Prutton thunderbolt from 25 yards followed by substitute Andy Hughes's tap-in sealed all three points for the Whites and leaves the sorry south Londoners still very much in the relegation dogfight.

It was the hosts that enjoyed the Lions' share of possession and were the better side for much of the match. But clinical finishing and continued hard work leaves Gary McAllister's men just one more win away from a guaranteed spot in the play-offs for League One promotion.

Anthony Elding watched Rhys Evans tip his low drive around his near post on eight minutes after the striker latched on to a neat touch from Neil Kilkenny before firing goal-wards on the turn.

On-loan centre-half Tony Craig skied the best chance of the first half when he swivelled on to a left-foot half volley eight yards out with Leeds's backline all at sea.

Casper Ankergren's fingertip save on to the underside of his bar that denied 19-year-old Jem Karacan's thumping right-foot drive, just after half-time, would prove to be pivotal.

Then, out of nothing, Prutton delivered the killer blow.

He watched Craig's headed clearance all the way on to his right foot before volleying through a crowd of players and beyond the stretched left hand of Evans.

The points were sealed less than 10 minutes later when the 30-year-old opened his United account with a simple tap-in to cap the best move of the match involving Prutton and Jonathon Howson.

McAllister said: "We scored two wonderful goals, but I have to hold my hands up and say we rode our luck.

"We were under the cosh for much of the game and the momentum was definitely with them, but we will take that slice of luck and look forward to the next game."

Millwall: Evans, Senda (Bignot 80), Craig, Robinson, Frampton, Simpson, Fuseini (Martin 75), Brkovic (Grabban 66), Laird, Karacan, Savage. Unused substitutes: Edwards, Harris.

Leeds United: Ankergren, Richardson, Huntington, Michalik, Sheehan, Prutton, Howson, Kilkenny, Johnson (Sweeney 89), Freedman (Kandol 89), Elding (Hughes 73). Unused substitutes: Lucas, Marques.

Referee: L Mason (Lancashire).

Leeds man of the match: David Prutton.