GREG Halford’s eighth minute winner for Nottingham Forest consigned Millwall to another home defeat this afternoon.

The Lions had a chance to make sure they wouldn’t go down by securing all three points but instead they must now hope Sheffield Wednesday can beat Peterborough this evening to remove all lingering relegation doubts.

News Shopper: Shaun Batt shoots wide under pressure from Danny Collins and Karl Darlow

Rob Hulse was dropped after being booed off against Blackburn and captain Danny Shittu suspended after picking up a second yellow card after the final whistle on Tuesday night, meaning the skipper’s armband went to Alan Dunne.

Jack Smith, Liam Feeney and Jermaine Easter were all dropped to the bench, with Adam Smith, Sean St Ledger, George Saville, Shaun Batt and Nathan Tyson all coming into the starting XI.

Batt did well to get beyond his marker and create space for himself in the box before seeing his fifth minute shot blocked and put behind for a corner.

But it was Forest who took an early lead three minutes later when Halford rose high to head home almost unmarked from Andy Reid’s corner.

News Shopper: Darlow clears under pressure from Nathan Tyson

David Forde had to get down low to keep out Radoslaw Majewski’s 20-yard shot and Saville blasted a volley well over at the opposite end.

Millwall had a penalty claim ignored as Batt went to ground under a challenge from Danny Collins but the referee decided the Forest captain had won the ball fairly.

Forest also had their own penalty shout rejected as Simon Cox took a dramatic tumble at the back post as a cross came in.

Millwall were almost punished from their own corner when Forest broke but Cox’s eventual shot was easily gathered by Forde after it took a deflection off Adam Smith.

Henry wasn’t a million miles away with an angled shot from inside the area after Forest keeper Karl Darlow made a hash of a St Ledger free-kick.

Henry went close again moments later as he burst into the box after latching on to Saville’s pass but his shot hit the side-netting.

News Shopper: Karleigh Osborne heads wide

Batt saw a glancing header from Dunne’s cross go wide but it was the visitors who went in at the break with their noses in front.

The Lions were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position just outside of the area seven minutes into the second half following a foul on Batt, but Henry’s effort went straight at Darlow.

Kenny Jackett made a double change on 62 minutes by taking off Batt and Tyson for John Marquis and Andy Keogh, the decision to withdraw Batt not proving very popular with the home fans.

News Shopper: Andy Keogh and Elliott Ward challenge for a header

Forde pulled off a spectacular reaction stop to deny Forest substitute Marcus Tudgay before Liam Feeney came on for Saville.

Keogh was unlucky not to connect with Karleigh Osborne’s flick on from a Henry corner and then Forde was called into action again to save Cox’s 20 yard drive.

News Shopper: George Saville battles it out with Andy Reid

Henri Lansbury’s 88th minute volley flew over the bar, while Lewis McGugan’s effort took a slight deflection on its way to being saved by Forde.

But despite four minutes of stoppage time, there was to be no Millwall equaliser and the Lions now need Peterborough to lose this evening at home to Sheffield Wednesday to guarantee safety.

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Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Osborne, Beevers, A Smith, Abdou, St Ledger, Henry, Saville (Feeney 80), Tyson (Keogh 62), Batt (Marquis 62). Subs not used: M Taylor, Wright, J Smith, Easter.