Preston 0-0 Millwall

Preston's winless slump continues with a disappointing goalless draw at home to a struggling Milwall side on Saturday.

The Lilywhites had boosted their defence in mid-week with the addition of on-loan centre-back Leon Cort from Burnley, but it was going forward in attack that they struggled to make any real impact.
North End started well with early attempts from Parkin and Jones, both narrowly missing the target.

The Lilywhites did find the back of the net in the 18th minute when Hume, put through on goal by Jon Parkin, slid his shot past goalkeeper Forde, but his celebrations were short-lived as it was ruled out for offside.

As the game progressed, Millwall began to push forward and threatened twice before the half the was over. The first attempt, an excellent close-range header from Puncheon, was only kept out by a heroic diving save from Andy Lonergan. Ten minutes later, their second attempt was deflected wide by Cort after Puncheon had dispossessed Barton in midfield.

Both sides could have won the game in the second half. Millwall came agonisingly close in the 72nd minute when Morrison broke a darting run into the penalty area, graciously side-stepping Cort, only to see his shot deflected five yards wide of the far post.

As the clock wound down, Preston wasted two golden opportunities to snatch all three points. Ten minutes from time, a feeble shot from Parkin swung across the face of the goal and inches away from Hume who was lurking at the edge of the six yard box, unable to get the slightest of touches to turn it into the net.

The last chance of the match would be the closest Preston would come to stealing only their second win in ten matches, and once again, Hume was the protagonist. With continued pressure, the Lilywhites marched forward in attack. Barton shot twice from the edge of the area, only for his second attempt to be deflected across to Hume in front of the Millwall goal. Turning inwards, Hume shot a curling effort around defender Alan Dunne and narrowly brushed the outside of the far post.

Goalkeeper Andy Lonergan was awarded man of the match for his game-saving stops in the Preston goal. Afterwards he admitted it was a "tough game against a very good side".