Preston North End manager Alex Neil says the performance in the victory over Millwall was 'mixed'

Neil acknowledged this game fell into the category of the result being more important than the display.

Alan Browne and Tom Barkhuizen netted late in the first half to send North End into half-time looking comfortable.

But Jake Cooper's header got Millwall back into the game before Andrew Hughes made it 3-1.

Lee Gregory scored deep in stoppage-time but PNE held on for the three points.

Neil said: "I thought it was a bit mixed, in the first half we controlled the ball well without really creating chances or being penetrative enough.

"The balance for us wasn't quite right, as you are well aware we have a lot of injuries at the moment.

"We had DJ tucked in on the left side and we couldn't really penetrate them down both sides - you need to use the full width against Millwall.

"So we were a little bit one dimensional.

"Then two good passes from Paul Gallagher opened the game up.

"With the first one we were a little bit fortunate because the ball ran through Lukas Nmecha's feet and Alan did what he did to pop up with his goal.

"The second ball was a cracker from Gally, he put it right in behind for Tom who produced a good finish.

"At that stage we looked quite comfortable, Millwall only had one set play which Steve Morison headed back across.

"In the second half I'll be honest, our play wasn't great at all. We didn't move the ball well and it didn't stick at the top end of the pitch.

"We had very little on the bench in terms of being able to change the game.

"At the top end we only had Graham Burke and Ethan Walker - who is 16 - on the bench.

"Everyone will acknowledge it wasn't the best performance in the second half, there were a lot of poor bits from us.

"But I think there are certain games over the course of the season when results are more important than performance and this one fell into that category."