Preston North End vs Millwall. Sky Bet Championship.
DeepdaleAttendance12,363.
Saturday 23 September 2017 19:14, UK
High-flying Preston were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Millwall at Deepdale in a game of few clear-cut chances.
The draw extends Preston's unbeaten run to six Sky Bet Championship games and they were the side who came closest to breaking the deadlock, with opportunities wasted either side of half-time.
Millwall, seeking their first away win at this level in 12 attempts dating back to February 2015, had the first chance after 13 minutes as George Saville's shot was parried by Chris Maxwell before Steve Morison blazed over from 12 yards.
Preston have lots of pace to allow them to threaten on the counter-attack and showed that three minutes later as Tom Barkhuizen cut into the area from the right and his low shot was tipped wide of the far post by Jordan Archer.
The first half was punctuated by a number of fouls from both sides which broke up any pattern of the game. Preston threatened with a couple of set-pieces after 25 minutes, the second of which broke to Daniel Johnson 15 yards out, though he skied his volley high into the Millwall fans.
The best move of the match came from the hosts after 53 minutes when Johnson slid Barkhuizen in behind and his low cross found Josh Harrop with an open goal, but the forward could not get enough contact as he lunged at the ball from three yards out.
Preston were the side threatening though and they had another opportunity a minute later as the ball dropped to full-back Darnell Fisher 20 yards out, but he hit the effort well over the bar.
Archer was forced into one of the few saves in the match after 66 minutes when Barkhuizen crossed from the left and Maguire got a glancing header on target but it was straight at the Millwall keeper from 12 yards.
Millwall had not looked like breaching the Championship's tightest defence, but they had an opportunity to do so on 75 minutes. Ben Davies gifted possession away and Jed Wallace was able to chip the ball through to Saville, who could only poke over the bar from eight yards.
Preston pushed for the win late on, but Millwall held firm and are now unbeaten in three Championship games.
Alex Neil: "I thought it was a hard-fought game without a huge amount of chances for either side. It's one of those games where if you won 1-0 you're delighted and you dust yourself down for the next one.
"We knew it would be a tough match and they made it that way. We matched that but I'd like to see us do a bit better. It's a home game and we wanted to win it. If you want to be at the top end of the table you have to win types of games like that. These are the games you need to win 1-0. If you do that you go away thinking it's a great three points."
Neil Harris: "I think it wasn't the best quality performance by us. There were moments when we were disappointed in our attacking play, but we have to stand strong and get something out of the game and that's what we did.
"We realised that we weren't affecting the game going forward. I was pleased with all their performances and what's pleasing is when you're not playing very well, you have to do your defensive responsibilities and we did that well. It's two clean sheets in a row. Clean sheets are hard to come by and I'm delighted for the group. The fans will go home happy and proud of the team."
