Lyndon Dykes grabbed a late double as Millwall wrapped up a much-needed victory after chastening back-to-back losses and inflicted a third successive defeat on Bolton Wanderers.

Caleb Taylor set Millwall on their way when he headed the ball home from a Jenson Metcalfe corner to earn a first-half lead in a match full of endeavour but lacking true quality.

The visitors failed to make the most of several promising situations before the break but were desperately unlucky not to draw level in the second half when Xavier Simons thumped an effort against the bar from the edge of the box.

Millwall, who had won one just one of their previous 11 meetings with the Trotters, could have extended their advantage when Taylor sliced an effort wide.

However, they did make it 2-0 on 83 minutes when Dykes tapped the ball into an empty net.

Moments later, Metcalfe and Bolton's Josh Sheehan were sent off after an almighty melee involving both sets of players.

And the drama carried on with Dykes firing home his second before Camiel Neghli shot low into the corner to cap the scoring in injury-time.

The late chaos was in stark contrast to an uninspiring first half. Taylor's goal was just one of two attempts on target in the first period, although both sides did create some decent openings.

Zak Sturge slid an early wide for the hosts, Tairyk Arconte had a goalbound effort blocked, and Jake Cooper headed over from a corner.

Sam Dalby was lively for the Trotters, dragging one attempt wide and having another strike well blocked, while Thierry Gale curled a shot just wide after a fine run.

Bolton controlled possession, but a lack of conviction in the final third was to prove costly just before the interval when Taylor's determination and aerial strength saw him rise highest to head the ball home.

The visitors continued to control most of the play and looked increasingly threatening in attack, notably when Simons was thwarted by the bar and a curling Gale strike was tipped around the post by Lions keeper Max Crocombe.

But the Trotters capitulated in the final seven minutes.

Dykes was able to roll the ball in from close range for his first goal for Millwall after a glaring error by keeper Jack Bonham, and - after Metcalfe and Sheehan saw red - a Max Conway gaffe gifted him a second goal.

There was still time for Neghli to fire in a fourth and ease the pain of consecutive losses which saw the Lions concede eight goals.

Millwall head coach Alex Neil told BBC Radio London:

"It's been a tough week, we lost Femi Azeez at the end of the window, had two disappointing defeats and more importantly lost quite a few players in terms of availability.

"It was important we tried to bounce back and get a result. I thought we did the basics well.

"I felt the starting XI was more than capable of winning the game and I was really pleased with some of the younger players who came on and dug in.

"A lot of guys stood up today. Lyndon Dykes led the line really well. He won nearly every header. We need to be effective more than pretty at the moment."

On the late red-card for Jenson Metcalfe: "I thought it was a ludicrous decision - to go straight to red cards. It's a full-blooded sport. Jenson reacted, it's a bit of handbags. It's disappointing because now we lose Jenson for three games."

On injuries to Casper De Norre and Josh Coburn: "They certainly won't be seen for a week or two."

Bolton boss Steven Schumacher told BBC Radio Manchester:

"Up until the 83rd minute we've played really well again, we should be ahead though.

"In the first half we caused Millwall loads of problems, we got on the front foot, we played with really good energy, got into dangerous areas. We've got to score in those moments - we have to get better at that.

"The last three goals we conceded were really frustrating - one of the players described them as 'pathetic' and I didn't need to say they were."