Millwall’s hopes of making the play-offs are over after they lost 2-0 to Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

The loss was the Lions’ first on the road since New Year’s Day and leaves them three points behind Derby with just one game remaining.

They would need to beat Aston Villa and hope for Derby, who have a far better goal difference, to lose next weekend. Seventh-placed Preston would also need to drop points for Neil Harris’ men to make an extremely unlikely top-six finish.

Britt Assomalonga fired the hosts into an early lead before Jonny Howson tapped home to double their advantage and seal the points.

Harris made one change from his sides 3-0 defeat to Fulham last Friday as Ryan Tunnicliffe replaced the injured George Saville, who missed out with a calf problem.

The home made all the early running and took the lead after 11 minutes as Assomalonga beat the offside trap before firing past the despairing dive of Jordan Archer.

Stewart Downing and Daniel Ayala had chances to extend Boro’s lead, but both failed to hit the target as Boro searched for a second.

Jake Cooper had Millwall’s best chance of a frustrating half when he failed to convert at the far-post from Steve Morison's flick-on and the Lions went into the break behind.

The away side started the second-half brightly, though, but were unable to test Darren Randolph as they looked to revitalise their play-off hopes and were thankful for Conor McLaughlin, who made a fine tackle to deny Adama Traore when in the penalty area.

At the other end, Shaun Hutchinson had a half-chance when his looping header lacked power and was easily dealt with by Randolph.

And just as the Lions started to crank up the pressure, Boro doubled their advantage. A Downing cross wasn’t dealt with by Archer or Cooper and Howson was left with the simple task of tapping into the empty net.

It took 77 minutes for Millwall to register their first effort on target as Jed Wallace’s long-range effort lacked power and just moments later Shaun Williams climbed highest from a cross to head straight at Randolph.

Patrick Bamford could have put gloss on the score line, but could only curl wide.

It was an improved second-half display from the Lions, however, they had no answer and left the Riverside empty-handed.