Sharpshooters in form again to end Lions’ goal famine
THE prolific double act of Tom Bradshaw and Zian Flemming both got on the scoresheet as Millwall ended their goal drought and strengthened their grip on a play-off place.
The pair have scored 29 of the Lions’ 50 goals this season and both hit the back of the net to see off top-six rivals Preston.
Millwall had not scored in more than six-and-a-half hours of football before Bradshaw’s 15th goal of the season put them ahead.
The Wales international headed home Flemming’s quality delivery in the 14th minute. And Dutch No.10 Flemming, a club record £1.7million signing from Fortuna Sittard in the summer, clinically struck inside the box after Jake Cooper nodded down a Scott Malone free-kick in the 73rd minute.
Lions captain Shaun Hutchinson made two superbly timed blocks on Tom Cannon and Josh Onomah to prevent Preston, who had won five of their last six league matches, gaining a lifeline.
Millwall manager Gary Rowett said: “After the last four games of not getting the results we deserved it felt a little bit like a must-win, must-perform.
“It was probably the edgiest we’ve looked on the ball and that was probably the magnitude of the game.
“We looked a bit nervy, and I can understand that. That caused a lot of our problems.
“There were a lot of positives. A goal each for Zian and Bradders and a clean sheet. Zian’s finish was better than it looks – it was quite acrobatic.
“We found a way to win the game. It was a lovely ball in by Zian for Bradders and a great header for the first one.
“The second came at a really, really good time, we were under the cosh a tiny bit.”
North End sub Liam Delap was denied by a goalline clearance from Malone and Preston boss Ryan Lowe said: “They found the two moments.
“We’ve four more games to go, there will be lots of twists and turns.”
MILLWALL: Long 6; Mcnamara 6, Hutchinson 8, Cooper 7, Wallace 5 (Malone (7) 7); Saville 8, Mitchell 7; Flemming 7 (Shackleton (85) 6), Burke 6 (Esse (70) 6), Voglsammer 6 (Watmore (70) 6); Bradshaw 7 (Bennett (85) 6) PRESTON: Woodman 6; Hughes 6, Lindsay 5 (Diaby (68) 5), Storey 5; Brady (Fernandez (67) 5), Whiteman 6 (Ledson (68) 6), Johnson 6, Onomah 5 (Woodburn (83) 5), Potts 6; Parrott 5 (Delap (68) 5), Cannon 5 STAR MAN: Shaun Hutchinson - rock solid defensively and two huge tackles to deny Preston big scoring chances. REF: Tim Robinson 8