This Christmas will live long in the memory for Ipswich Town.
Twelfth in the table, firing on all cylinders and gripped by a six-game unbeaten run, this year has certainly ended on a high note.
And with only six points between Ipswich and the last play-off spot, their fans will be hoping the midas touch continues in 2003.
"I'm absolutely delighted," beamed boss Joe Royle.
"We scored three awesome goals and, more than anything, I'm so pleased for our fans.
"This win keeps our run going and whatever happens between now and the end of the season is in our own hands."
Tommy Miller was the two-goal hero as he took his career tally to 50.
His first simply arrowed into the net, a sizzling shot from just outside the area after Millwall only partially cleared a corner by Jamie Clapham.
Jermaine Wright repeated the trick with a quarter of an hour left, almost breaking the net with a 30-yard piledriver.
Then, four minutes later, Clapham's left-wing cross was pulled down by Marcus Bent.
The striker, having only emerged from the bench at the start of the second half, picked his spot with a cool finish.
Town sealed victory with a penalty in the closing stages, after Darren Ambrose was upended by fellow substitute Ray Ryan.
Millwall had made it 1-1 halfway through the second half when Neil Harris spun inside Matt Holland and crossed for Steven Reid.
The wing-back powered a well-placed shot past keeper Andy Marshall.
Published Thursday, January 2, 2003
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