Millwall 1 Barnsley 2: Reds' first away win of the season a 'special moment' for Gerhard Struber

And they gave their travelling fans an early gift in the shape of a last-gasp winner through Patrick Schmidt.

The Reds are on a real upward curve under new boss Gerhard Struber and the notion that they can now survive in the Championship is not a fanciful Christmas gift.

Five games ago they were eight points adrift of safety and seemingly rooted to the bottom of the table, but three wins and a draw has now cut that down to just one.

They took the lead at Millwall through Conor Chaplin, who more than anyone is enjoying life under Struber.

It had looked like more late heartache for the Reds, who season has been undermined by conceding late goals, when Aiden O’Brien levelled for the Lions but there was a twist in the tale.

In the fifth minute of injury time Schmidt rose highest from a corner to send Barnsley into delirium.

“For us it’s a very, very important victory, it’s good for our soul, for our mind, and for our self-confidence,” said Struber.

“After the equaliser, we had the mentality to win and this is a special moment for me, for my team and the whole club.

“We didn’t play like a relegation-threatened team, we played very well, and I hope that we can follow that up on Boxing Day – for now, we’ll have a merry Christmas!”

*Millwall boss Gary Rowett said his side’s poor decision-making cost them against the Reds.

“I knew it would be a difficult game – so much expectation and the form we’re on, you know it can be a banana skin,” he said.

“We had a tough week in terms of injuries and illnesses which threw a bit of our preparations but nevertheless in the first 38 minutes we have enough control to go and score.

“We concede a really poor goal. We lose possession and we don’t respond quickly enough.

“When you’re 1-1, with one minute to go, when you get the ball wide you have to make a good decision. It’s as simple as that. He’s made a poor decision in a poor area.

“They still have a bit to do – it’s a really good header when it comes into the box, he’s moving backwards.

“But it shouldn’t come from that.”