Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Millwall: Pawel Olkowski & Gary O'Neil help Bolton to win

Bolton Wanderers put their off-field issues to one side to overcome Millwall and narrow the gap on their relegation rivals.

Pawel Olkowski opened the scoring for the Trotters after beating defender James Meredith and directing a shot into the bottom corner.

Bolton doubled their lead on the hour-mark following a counter-attack led by Gary O'Neil, which ended with the midfielder turning Mahlon Romeo and slotting past Jordan Archer.

Millwall ensured a nail-biting finale when Lee Gregory turned Jed Wallace's low cross home, but Bolton held on for a vital three points.

The result sees the Trotters remain second bottom of the Championship, but they are now just five points behind Millwall, who are just outside the relegation zone in 21st.

Suspended Wanderers boss Phil Parkinson watched a slow opening from the stands after his sending off against Leeds United last month.

The first opening fell to Millwall's Tom Elliott, who headed wide from a Shane Ferguson cross, before Ferguson then delivered a good ball to Gregory but his header was deflected over the bar.

Bolton responded well and, after Olkowski and Sammy Ameobi shot wide from distance, Callum Connelly missed a good chance from an O'Neil corner.

Olkowski produced the first moment of quality in the game when he collected a Connelly pass and finished confidently and the almost doubled their lead through Will Buckley, but he dragged his shot wide from 15 yards.

Bolton did not have to wait too long for the second as O'Neil carried the ball forward on the counter and beat Archer to put the Trotters in control.

Lions striker Gregory halved the deficit with just three minutes to go, with a good finish past keeper Remi Matthews.

Elliott headed a Ferguson cross onto the roof of the net as Millwall piled on late pressure but they were unable to find the equaliser to avoid a fourth consecutive league defeat.

Bolton manager Phil Parkinson told BBC Radio Manchester:

"Great win for us, Millwall are a difficult team to play against, we know what they're about. We raised our game 10% for each individual. We were great for those fifteen minutes after half-time.

"The dream is well and truly alive. We've got another home game on Tuesday but hopefully positive times are around the corner for the club, off the field as well.

"If there's potential new owners watching today, that's a great message for them that this club is alive and kicking and we're ready to fight for the next 10 games."

Millwall manager Neil Harris:

"It was one I didn't expect.

"The first half was scrappy but I spoke at half-time about still doing the nitty-gritty stuff while adding the quality. But the goals we gave away were poor.

"People had jobs to do and Gary O'Neil, who isn't a spring chicken anymore, ran virtually from his own box to the other end of the pitch and score. We had three players behind the ball before he gets his shot away.

"The cup game [against Brighton] at the Den will be a good occasion and exciting for the fans. Our priority though is the league and all I am focusing on is Birmingham away on Wednesday. It is a huge game after four defeats in a row."