Leeds United 0 Millwall 2: Leeds's wounds deepened as Kisnorbo's season ends

Well, last night, it was Leeds United who assumed the mantle made famous by Only Fools and Horses as their hopes of automatic promotion suffered a massive setback.

An 11th-minute strike from Steve Morison – created courtesy of a sublime ball by Del Boy's namesake Liam – and a late effort by substitute Shaun Batt provided Millwall with a nice little earner from their trip to Yorkshire as United's advantage over Kenny Jackett's men was halved.

Launch the Yorkshire Post's Coca-Cola Football League video player and watch highlights of last night's match

And with a trip to runaway leaders Norwich City next up for Simon Grayson's men on Saturday, the dreaded play-offs home into view courtesy of a truly wretched run in 2010.

United last night lacked ideas, guile, quality and, most worryingly of all, guts as Millwall claimed their first win at Elland Road since April 1988.

At the end of that season the Lions won promotion while Leeds missed out and, on the evidence of last night's mismatch, it is difficult to envisage anything but an identical outcome in May.

The night had started badly for the home side when Patrick Kisnorbo, comfortably their most consistent performer this campaign, had to be stretchered from the field with an Achilles injury which ends his season and his chances of playing for Australia in the World Cup.

It took the United physio just a few seconds to indicate a change was needed, forcing manager Grayson into a reshuffle that saw Leigh Bromby move into the centre and Aiden White slot in at left-back with Andrew Hughes switching flanks.

Coming on top of Jermaine Beckford missing the game with a hamstring injury, it was the worst possible beginning and Millwall scented blood.

Morison, after missing the chance Kisnorbo's injury had presented to the former Stevenage striker, duly gave the Lions the lead when sweeping in a truly sublime right-wing cross from Trotter.

As the confidence visibly drained from the hosts, Millwall continued to press and Morison went close to netting a second with a shot that fizzed just wide.

Leeds, in contrast, offered little by way of creativity with far too many of the club's senior players seemingly unwilling to assume responsibility.

Robert Snodgrass did show willing and some neat touches, always being available for a pass when a team-mate had possession.

Elsewhere, however, it was a different story as United retreated into their shells and constantly took the easy – route one – way out.

An indication of their lamentable efforts last night was that Millwall goalkeeper David Forde did not have a save to make.

United's best chance came 10 minutes into the second half when Paul Dickov sprang the offside trap on the left and centred for Snodgrass only for the Scot to blaze his shot high over.

That apart, Leeds offered little even after the introduction of Neil Kilkenny, the best passer in the club.

The Australian tried to rouse his team-mates but his efforts proved in vain as Millwall, playing by far the more constructive football, always looked the more likely to score.

Morison missed a great chance after Bromby had been caught out of position, the Lions striker scampering clear only to fire into the side-netting with the goal at his mercy.

The longer the game continued, the more inevitable a second Lions goal seemed and it duly arrived when substitute Batt collected the ball out wide on the left 10 minutes from time.

Hughes moved across to try to block his path only to be brushed aside, as was Bromby before the loanee from Peterborough United beat Casper Ankergren at his near post.

It was a fittingly dismal end to what had been a shocking night for Leeds, who now face a real fight to hold onto second place come May 8.

Leeds United: Ankergren; Bromby, Naylor, Kisnorbo (White 8), Hughes; Snodgrass, Howson, Doyle (Kilkenny 63), Johnson (Gradel 69); Becchio, Dickov. Unused substitutes: Crowe, Higgs, Grella, McSheffrey.

Millwall: Forde; Dunne, Robinson, Ward, Craig; Hackett, Abdou, Trotter, Schofield; Morison, Harris (Batt 74). Unused substitutes: Sullivan, Frampton, Barron, Smith, Laird, Obika.

Referee: C Foy (Merseyside).