LONDON, April 13: Champions Manchester City stretched their unassailable lead at the top of the English first division to 13 points with a 3-1 victory at Gillingham on Saturday.

City, who secured the title by beating Barnsley last Saturday, took the lead through Kevin Horlock, who lobbed Gillingham goalkeeper Jason Brown after 20 minutes.

Iffy Onuora levelled for the home side with a close-range header after 34 minutes, before City regained control through Shaun Goater’s volley five minutes later.

Darren Huckerby’s seventh goal in four games completed the win — City’s 11th in the last 13 league matches — five minutes from time at Priestfield Stadium.

The other first division games on Saturday kick off at 1400GMT.

On Friday, Coventry City’s hopes of a quick return to the premier league ended when their slim chances of a playoff spot were dashed by a 1-0 home defeat to Millwall who gave their own promotion push a boost.

Veteran striker Steve Claridge, who teamed up with former Coventry forward Dion Dublin, grabbed the only goal after 24 minutes when he turned in a Tim Cahill cross from close range.

The win takes Millwall up two places to fourth with 74 points from 45 games ahead of Birmingham City and Burnley (72) and Preston and Norwich (69), who all have a game in hand of the London club and could still overhaul them in the playoff race.

Manchester City have clinched the title, with second-placed West Bromwich Albion (83) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (82) battling for the other automatic promotion place.

Dundee win: A late strike from Steven Milne gave Dundee a 1-0 win at St Johnstone in the Scottish premier league on Saturday.

Milne connected with a cross from Beto Garrido after 80 minutes to condemn St Johnstone, who are already relegated, to their 25th defeat of the season.

Celtic, who secured the championship last Saturday, host Dunfermline Athletic later on Saturday, while Rangers, assured of second place, travel to Livingston.—Reuters