MAGUIRE’S IN MICKS FOR AN IRELAND CAP..

MILLWALL

Thompson 67

PRESTON 1 3

Hughes 4, Clarke 16, Maguire 27

SEAN MAGUIRE not only played his way into Preston history – but surely into the mix for an Ireland call-up.

And team-mate Alan Browne is tipped to join him after Alex Neil’s men chalked up four successive away wins for the first time since 1959 as they stretched their unbeaten run to eight games.

Ireland boss Mick Mccarthy watched as Maguire (above, celebrating his goal) scored and

Browne led Millwall a merry dance in midfield.

Mccarthy said: “Sean’s movement was exceptional and his finish for the goal first class. He got in behind the Millwall defence, he ran the channels and put in a great shift, capped by that finish for the third goal.

“Alan Browne did really well for Preston as well.

“Their midfield swamped Millwall and Alan was central to everything they did with another powerful display.

“I like the way he gets forward and gets among the goals as well.”

Andy Hughes and Tom Clarke put Preston in the driving seat before Maguire’s strike.

Skipper Clarke heaped praised on team-mate Paul Gallagher, who had a hand in all three Preston goals.

He said: “Gally’s gone to a new level. He’s always had good quality, but he’s stepped it up and it was up to us to get on the end of his crosses.”

Ben Thompson’s goal failed to inspire more of a recovery from the Lions.

Millwall manager Neil Harris owned up to getting his tactics wrong and said: “Hindsight in a wonderful thing.”

Jed Wallace admits he can understand fans’ frustration. He said: “We have not been playing the most fluent football.

“We are shipping too many goals and need to get back to basics.”