[themaclad]

Millwall 1 Flemming Preston North End 1 Potts

Millwall line-up: Šarkić; Tanganga, Harding, Cooper; Norton-Cuffy, Honeyman (De Norre, 58), Mitchell (Saville, 58), Bryan; Longman (Esse, 45), Nisbet (Obafemi, 77); Flemming. Subs not used: Białkowski, McNamara, Wallace, Campbell, Grant.

PNE line-up: Woodman; Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Potts, Whiteman, Ledson (Browne, 73), Millar (Brady, 63); Frøkjær (Holmes, 90+4); Keane, Riis (Osmajić, 63). Subs not used: Cornell, Cunningham, Bauer, Stewart, Woodburn.

Referee: Mr J Busby.

Attendance: 14,744 (853 PNE pre-sales).

4.45am alarm means only one thing a marathon by coach, the delights of South Bermondsey and those cheerful chappies called Millwall, as is the way these days we arrived about a week before the turnstiles opened , unlike some grounds you can wander round at the New Den, you can walk up to the railway staion and back again there is nowhere else to go. Delighted to say they had a spray painting competition seems to be on virtually every building, the yoof these days seem to speak in a lingo that can only be described as bollox judging by what was scrawled on the buildings.
Under the railway bridge and into the compound, heaven knows how they cope with someone bring 20 plus coaches.
Ground wise don't mind the place or their supporters no airs or graces.

One change from last week Ledson in for McCann who was either injured, dropped or was dead, to be fair to Ledson was one of his better games.
Keep it tight at the start would have been good but after 4 minutes ball in from the right, marking of the non existant type and one down, Flemming scoring with a header, only to be expected that's 6 in 4 games against us. For the next 30 minutes we were utterly abject, passing to blue shirts, ball returners and their fans, truly parp. Millwall dangerous down the right flank with the tricky Norton-Cuffey causing us issues. The home side could have added others Storey making a remarkable headed clearance whilst lying on the floor, they were let down by the final ball as well.
Then out of the ineptitude we were all square, Frokjaer sadly under used by the idiot in charge, inch perfect ball to Potts, slightly scuffs his shot but in it goes level.
Goals change games for the 15 minutes up to half time we were have to say excellent, confidence oozed through the team, Millar causing them problems, Frokjaer ability to see a pass laid seige to their goal pity would have been great to be ahead at half time but it wasn't to be. Keep this up in the second half and this is three points but nope the flair went as soon as they appeared in the second half, apparently we had 27% possession in the second period as per usual with Mr Fantastic it was safety first and Millwall were on the front foot.
They were denied Whiteman cleared off the line, plenty of balls into the box, shouts for penalties, Mr Busby gave them absolutely nothing all afternoon which was actually quite funny, Tanganga missed from close range and we generally wasted time until the last five minutes or so when we woke up. Keane narrowly wide from 10 yards, Osmajic snap shot well wide and then Potts played in by Brady similar position to when he scored this time the keeper stayed large denied him and it was a point each.

Since December 1 have rocked up almost 2000 miles, we have picked up two points away from home due to the tactics of Mr Fantastic, Cardiff in two weeks 7.30 am start already booked love the misery, occasional you get days like Maidstone did yesterday more than makes up for the garbage you have to wade through

Millwall head coach Joe Edwards told BBC Radio London:

"It's certainly frustrating because, for most of the game, we were the more comfortable team - the better team without being high-quality or really exciting today.

"You want to go and win those games, but it's really important you don't lose them. So we'll take the point, knowing that we need to improve.

"The kind of intensity we want from the start, we've done it again and got our rewards today, and when you go 1-0 up at home after five minutes you want to go again.

"But it's not always that easy. Preston are not an easy team to break down. Then an error leads to the [equalising] goal and that can happen.

"We regrouped in the second half but we're getting to the final third and just not quite having that final answer at the moment. We need to keep working, keep improving and ask more questions in these home games."

Preston boss Ryan Lowe:

"It was a fair result, I think. Both teams tried to win it.

"The first half was disappointing - conceding another early goal. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb, but I was pleased with the reaction of the boys.

"We had to withstand a lot of pressure from them - not just the team but from the fans as well. You have to keep them quiet.

"We got into some good areas, we just could not finish it off, but it was not through lack of trying.

"We are disappointed with the first goal but I am pleased with the reaction and resilience to keep going to the end and to try and win it."

LOWE'S BEEN ON THE FUNNY JUICE AGAIN