By pnefans.co.uk
April 25 2005

A day which promised so much ended in disapointed for Preston North End and their fans, as they lost 2-1 to Millwall at the New Den.

Preston once again failed to win in front of the Sky cameras and also missed out on the oportuninty of confirming a play-off place, a place which hopefully will be claimed in the next two weeks

Preston looked a shadow of the team who had lost only one game in the last twenty and failed to create any real chances except for Nugents goal, which he really made for himself.

Preston never really got to terms with Millwall striker Barry Hayles who gave the Preston Defence trouble for most of the game.

Millwall went ahead through Peter Sweeney's drive after nine minutes.

Hayles should have moved the home side 2-0 up later in a half blighted by keeper Andy Marshall being knocked out, but he missed the simplest of chances.

Preston levelled with David Nugent's wonderful half-volley, before Hayles exchanged passes with Danny Dichio and rifled home in the 76th minute.

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Preston manager Billy Davies:

"We didn't turn up today, and we got what we deserved.

"We didn't do the things that we are good at, and we didn't pass the ball properly - but how can you fault these players?

"There are only two games to go, we are on a magnificent run and we are very much in the driving seat. But another win might not be needed."

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Millwall: Marshall (Stack 23), Phillips, Lawrence, Ward, Muscat, Sweeney (Ifill 45), Morris (Wise 68), Elliott, Livermore, Dichio, Hayles. Subs Not Used: Simpson, May.

Booked: Lawrence, Muscat.

Goals: Sweeney 9, Hayles 76.

Preston: Nash, Alexander, Mawene, Lucketti, Hill (Smith 86), Sedgwick (Mears 66), McKenna, O'Neil, Agyemang (Etuhu 74), Cresswell, Nugent. Subs Not Used: Ward, Davis.

Booked: Lucketti, O'Neil.

Goals: Nugent 58.

Att: 11,417

Ref: P Joslin (Nottinghamshire).