1 min
Millwall bounced back from Saturday’s Barnsley defeat to beat Preston North End 2-1 at The Den and keep their slim Championship Play-Off hopes alive.
The first-half was low on quality but a 12th minute Preston counter-attack saw Millwall’s George Evans fail to fully clear a cross with namesake Ched on hand to fire a superb volley into the far corner.
However, Scott Malone netted a 39th minute equaliser, driving forward before firing a brilliant effort into the top corner.
After the break, the Lions came close to taking the lead through Mason Bennett when he lifted a 67th minute effort onto the bar from a Jon Dadi Bodvarsson cross.
Jed Wallace was then a tad unlucky as he fired a close-range effort narrowly wide having been played through by Ryan Woods.
But as Millwall continued to dominate, Woods lobbed a ball over the defence for Bennett and with Preston keeper Daniel Iversen hesitant, the Millwall forward beat him to the ball to head it over him and into the net.
With only four minutes left to play, Preston never looked like snatching an equaliser with Millwall holding on for a first win in four games.
Key Points
Check out all the key talking points and reaction from London Football Scene below…
Key Moment
Mason Bennett’s second-half header was enough for all three points, taking his tally to four for the season.
Moan of the Match
Millwall’s poor passing in the first-half gave Preston opportunities on the counter – and led to the break for Ched Evans’ goal.
Talking Point
For a team so dominant in the second-half, Millwall should perhaps have created more chances – how can they tweak their approach to really capitalise when on top?
Man of the Match
Scott Malone – the on-loan left back scored a wonderful goal and was once again at the heart of most things positive in an attacking sense for the Lions.
Tweet of the Match
Referee Watch
Keith Stroud (Hampshire) – inconsistent and made a number of poor decisions throughout, but thankfully had no major calls to make.
Atmosphere
A scrappy game with a much-improved Millwall showing in the second-half surely would have furthered the vociferation of a Den crowd if fans were allowed to be in attendance.
Verdict
For either side to have any slim Play-Off hopes they both had to win – and it was Millwall who found a way after a dominant second-half showing.
