Millwall boosted their hopes of a top-six finish in the Championship with a hard-fought victory over play-off rivals Wrexham.

Defender Max Cleworth turned Femi Azeez's cross into his own net just before the hour as Millwall led in north Wales having failed to register a shot on target.

The Red Dragons had numerous efforts on goal at Stok Cae Ras and Sam Smith went close to equalising moments before substitute Josh Coburn struck his fourth goal of the campaign to seal victory for the away side.

Alex Neil's men - who kept a 12th league clean sheet of the campaign - opened up a six-point buffer over seventh-placed Preston North End.

Wrexham - who failed to score in a home league game for the first time this season - remain sixth on 47 points and are ahead of Preston on goal difference.

Phil Parkinson's men played with confidence from the outset as Kieffer Moore and Issa Kabore both tested Max Crocombe early on.

But the Lions settled and could have gone ahead on 27 minutes as Camiel Neghli nipped in front of Kabore at the back post, although he could only head Tristan Crama's cross over.

Following a prolonged quiet spell, Azeez blazed over in the final seconds of the opening half to ensure the contest remained finely poised.

Having already lost Matty James - who has featured in every league game so far this season - to injury in the first half, Wrexham's left wing-back Liberato Cacace was forced off shortly after the restart.

Those blows did not dampen the spirits of the home side as Moore twice got into promising positions either side of Callum Doyle's driven effort at goal.

But Millwall took the lead in fortuitous circumstances as Azeez's cross was turned into his own net by Cleworth from close range.

Substitutes George Thomason and George Dobson both had efforts as the Red Dragons - who rank third in the Championship for most points won from losing positions - pushed for an equaliser.

Defender Dom Hyam then headed over from a set-piece as Parkinson sent on Josh Windass, new signing Davis Keillor-Dunn and Smith.

Smith, who had scored in each of his past four league starts, spurned two huge opportunities in the space of a minute after Coburn was unable convert from close range at the other end.

But the Millwall substitute made no mistake in the 85th minute as he rifled beyond Arthur Okonkwo to seal victory with his side's first effort on target.

Both sides came into the match in fine form, so there was always going to be precious little to separate the sides.

No team in the Championship had collected more than Wrexham's tally of 19 points since Christmas, while Millwall had lost just once in eight league outings ahead of their trip to north Wales.

After Queens Park Rangers drew with Charlton Athletic on Friday night, fellow play-off rivals Derby County and Watford both lost in Saturday's early kick-offs.

The opportunity was there to be grasped for both and, while the Londoners created very little throughout, a bit of luck from an own goal combined with a clinical strike from Coburn earned victory.

It will no doubt feel like a missed opportunity for Wrexham, who are now winless in three home league games having won four away on the bounce.

Fine margins such as this could well come into play in the final stages of 2025-26.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson:

"We've deserved something from the game, but it's about moments. It was always going to be a tight game, two teams in the top six.

"There was nothing really in it, although in the first half I thought we had the better of the play.

"The goal we conceded has come from absolutely nothing. We've had two great chances and should have had a penalty when Thommo [George Thomason] has had a shot and I can't see how the referee hasn't given that.

"Then out of absolutely nothing we end up 2-0 down and the scoreline is not a fair reflection on the game."

Millwall boss Alex Neil:

"I think it was an important win. It was a tight game and both teams had their moments.

"Wrexham make you have to defend your box well. It was always going to be a game where we had to defend well.

"A slice of fortune with the first goal, and they had a few moments, but it was always going to be a tight game.

"I thought today was the perfect away performance from us."