Zak Whitbread believes Millwall are reaping the rewards of their brutal pre-season under boss Kenny Jackett.

The in-form Lions could close to within two points of second-placed Peterborough if they win their game in hand at home to Colchester tonight.

Jackett's team have developed a priceless habit of plundering points late on against tiring opponents, having scored 13 goals in the last five minutes of games this season.

That never-say-die approach has yielded an extra 12 points in their charge towards the Championship, two of which came courtesy of Jason Price's 90th-minute winner against Crewe.

Now defender Whitbread, 25, has revealed the secret to his side's success is the draining work-outs organised by Jackett last summer.

He said: "Fitness is probably the biggest single reason we have a good record late on. For two weeks last summer, the manager made us come in three times a day, from 7am. It wasn't pleasant at the time and it was the hardest I had ever worked but it's paid off in a big way.

"The manager put a lot of thought and organisation into that and it was definitely the most organised training I've had at the club.

"When the season started we were in peak condition, rather than trying to feel our way into it in the first few games, and we're obviously still in good condition seven months down the line."

Millwall's destiny is in their own hands as they aim to end their three-year exile from the Championship, with a top-two finish guaranteed if they win their remaining seven matches.

But Whitbread is urging caution, adding: "It's in our hands so the incentive is there for us. It's a good position to be in and we just need to keep level-headed about it."