Leicester City have maintained their lead at the top of the Championship after beating struggling Millwall in a hard-fought encounter at The New Den.

Anthony Knockaert got the Foxes off to a strong start when the midfielder was allowed to run unchallenged to the edge of the area before unleashing a strike that proved too good for keeper David Forde.

The Foxes should have doubled their advantage with only nine minutes on the clock when David Nugent's run down the left and subsequent cross found Gary Taylor-Fletcher six yards out, but he could only drag his effort wide.

Millwall enjoyed a better period as the first half continued in tough conditions and they came close to equalising when forward Scott McDonald evaded the attentions of Marcin Wasilewski before bringing a good save out of Kasper Schmeichel.

Leicester almost found a second goal just before the break when Nugent set up Lloyd Dyer, but his low shot from the edge of the box tricked wide.

However, the Foxes did increase their lead three minutes after the interval when Taylor-Fletcher sprung the offside trap and drew Forde out, before chipping the ball to Nugent who nodded home.

Millwall were able to pull a goal back midway through the second period when substitute Lee Martin's cross was met by McDonald whose effort was saved, but Richard Chaplow was on hand to bundle home the rebound.

However, Jeffery Schlupp made sure of the victory in stoppage time when he slotted the ball through the legs of Forde.

The win, which completes a league double over Millwall, means that Leicester are now four points ahead of Burnley at the top of the Championship.