A first half hat-trick from Ashley Grimes and two goals from Ahmet Brkovic capped off a convincing 5-1 result for league leaders Millwall.

The Lions began strongest and signalled their intentions with two early strikes that narrowly missed their target.

But, on 19 minutes, they made sure with Palace keeper David Wilkinson helpless as the home side eventually found what they were looking for.

A neat ball through from right-back Alan Dunne was pounced on by Grimes. The striker then calmly slotted the ball home after working enough space for himself with some good footwork.

The lead was added to midway through the first half when another good ball from Dunne was again capitalised upon by Grimes who finished with a low and decisive strike.

Impressively, Grimes completed his hat trick just 40 seconds later when he thumped home from ten yards after receiving the ball from Scott Barron.

The Eagles managed to claw one back after the break thanks to Billy Bingham who cleverly chipped the keeper five minutes into the half.

But it would prove mere consolation as Palace's fight back was categorically denied them by a fourth Millwall goal just six minutes later.

Grimes, this time turning provider, played in Barron down the left who then crossed for Brkovic to volley in his first of the afternoon.

His second came in the final minute of time when he jumped highest to meet a Kamil Tevfik corner and sealed the three points for his side.

Crystal Palace: Wilkinson, Abnett, Carolan (Cadogen, 74mins), Bingham, Edwards, Dalhouse (Nmani, 46mins), Oster, Asajile (Pinney, 55), Griffit, Dayton, Djilali.