91Èȱ¬

Jermaine Beckford's clinical double helped Huddersfield Town climb out of the Championship relegation zone with an impressive victory over Millwall.

Town dominated before the break but Beckford's classy finish was all they had to show for their dominance.

91Èȱ¬ keeper Alex Smithies did have to make a fine save to deny James Henry, who also hit the bar with a free-kick.

But Town were on top and, after James Vaughan's low shot made it 2-0, Beckford ran through to fire a third.

Beckford's second goal means the win was the first time Town have scored more than two goals at home in the league this season and also capped a morale-boosting display, which takes the Terriers three places above the drop zone prior to the Championship's afternoon kick-offs.

The Lions would have all but ensured their survival with victory but remain just four points above the bottom three - although they do have games in hand on all the sides around them.

The on-loan Leicester striker, who had not scored in the league since November before his brace in the win over Wolves last week, could have put Huddersfield ahead early on but his header was kept out by a brilliant save from goalkeeper David Forde.

Danny Shittu, who endured a torrid afternoon against the pace and direct running of Beckford and Vaughan, was at fault for Beckford's opener when the forward robbed him and expertly curled the ball past Forde from a tight angle.

Jack Hunt then nearly made it 2-0 within a minute but Forde tipped his strike around the post.

Henry, who had hit the bar with a free-kick before the opening goal, was then denied by a fine save from Alex Smithies and Town heeded the warning to wrap up the win within 17 minutes of the restart.

Vaughan drilled home the second and then played a long ball through to Beckford, who showed wonderful composure to finish past Forde into the top corner.

Jermaine Easter blazed a great chance over the bar from close range after good work by James Henry late on but FA Cup semi-finalists Millwall made little impression after going 3-0 down.

Huddersfield manager Mark Robins:

"It was Premier League finishing from Jermaine. He has been unfortunate with injuries and he would be some player if you had him for 46 games a season.

"I love watching him. He is a master finisher and on his day he is unstoppable and unplayable.

"As a pair, Vaughan and Beckford are as good as any in this league."

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett:

"Three of our remaining matches are at home and we have to make that count. Our cup run hasn't helped and it's been a strange season, if we'd have got results over the last five matches we'd have been looking at the play-offs.

"That's been the story of our season. If we won a couple we were looking up, but a couple of losses and we were looking down.

"The side lacked energy and sparkle. From our point of view, with the schedule we've had, and we're still in it, we need to get everyone behind us and we still need points."