Football Review | Millwall 1 - 1 Preston North End

Millwall failed to win again

They and Preston North End shared the points in an eventful draw.

Author | James P

Stadium | The Den

Championship | Millwall v Preston | Pre-match

Preston North End, aiming for a fourth straight Championship victory, were handed an early lead against the run of play when Michael Smith punished Camiel Neghli’s careless backpass with a composed finish.

Millwall were level before half-time courtesy of a disastrous error from Daniel Iversen, whose miskick left Mihailo Ivanovic free to roll the ball into an empty net.

The contest remained open after the break

The hosts started to enjoy the better of the chances. Ivanovic, Thiero Ballo, Casper De Norre and Jake Cooper all went close, while Aidomo Emakhu squandered a golden opportunity when clean through on goal.

Preston grew into the closing stages, and substitute Thierry Small came agonisingly close to restoring their lead when his effort slipped under Max Crocombe but somehow trickled wide. The Millwall keeper later denied Lewis Dobbin as the visitors finished strongly.

The Lions, thrashed 4-0 by Birmingham City last time out and now winless in three, were the dominant side for much of the match. Yet for all their possession, they managed just one effort on target before Iversen’s blunder gifted them the equaliser.

The goalkeeper’s attempt to launch the ball upfield ended in calamity when he clipped it with his right foot as he swung his left, leaving Ivanovic with the simplest of finishes.

Crocombe then almost returned the favour at the other end, hesitating over a clearance that was charged down and only narrowly missed rebounding into his own net.

Millwall continued to press after the interval but failed to convert their chances, and were ultimately relieved to escape with a draw as Preston pushed late on for a winner that would have taken them up to second in the table.

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