Memory match; PNE 3 Millwall 2, April 2000

The Lilywhites had both clinched promotion and won the Second Division five days earlier – bizarrely after being beaten at Cambridge.

This was the triumphant homecoming for David Moyes’ men, the title trophy presented to PNE skipper Sean Gregan after the final whistle.

Fittingly, they finished their home campaign with a victory, beating the visitors from London 3-2.

All three North End goals came in the first half, two of them before the clock had reached the eighth minute.

Millwall pulled two goals back after the interval but thankfully did not spoil the party.

This was a 15th home win of the season and 19,500 fans were packed inside the ground to see it.

PNE opened the scoring before a Millwall player had touched the ball.

After Preston had taken kick-off, Brett Angell won a free-kick after being pushed by David Tuttle.

David Eyres swung over the free-kick which travelled into the net without anyone getting a touch.

Angell had stuck his head towards it and tried to claim the goal but Eyres was rightly credited with it.

Just 31 seconds were on the clock and already the 
party had started.

North End survived a strong shout for a penalty at the other end when Millwall striker Neil Harris went down in a heap between Ryan Kidd and Rob Edwards.

They made it 2-0 in the eighth minute, Eyres rolling a short corner to Icelandic striker Bjarki Gunnlaugsson.

Eyres collected the return pass and whipped in a cross which keeper David Warner fumbled after bumping into a team-mate.

With the ball on the floor, Michael Jackson was first to it and scooped a shot into the roof of the net.

Warner had an eventful few minutes, saving well from Paul McKenna and denying Alexander.

He was also booked for a foul on Gunnlaugsson on the edge of the box, fortunate that he did not see red.

North End made it 3-0 in the 40th minute.

McKenna rode a tackle from Robbie Ryan down the right wing and sent over a low cross which Angell stabbed into the net from close range.

It was the seventh goal of Angell’s time on loan from Stockport and he was to bag another in the final game at Bristol City the following week.

If North End had bossed the first half, it was Millwall who enjoyed the better of the second as they looked for a way back into the contest.

Just two minutes after the interval, a cross from Harris was helped on to Paul Ifill.

The midfielder took the ball round Edwards on the right-hand side of the box and hammered a shot past Tepi Molianen.

Seven minutes later, the visitors had a second goal.

Harris got past Kidd down the right channel and pulled back a cross for Lucas Neill to fire home from 15 yards.

Millwall had chances for an equaliser, while Preston created enough openings to extend the lead.

As it was, it remained 3-2 and then the next part of the party started.

The trophy presentation saw Sir Tom Finney join the players and coaching staff on the pitch.

Gregan lifted the trophy, PNE’s skipper having missed the final stages of the season after breaking a bone in his back. If any pain remained, he did not feel it.