Play-off heartbreak for ex-Preston North End boss as former loan star off to Wembley
Hull City will face Southampton or Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final
Former Preston North End boss Alex Neil suffered play-off heartache on Monday night.
Millwall, who finished third in the Championship on 83 points, were pipped to the Wembley final by Hull City. It was goalless after the first leg at the MKM Stadium, but the Tigers triumphed 2-0 in the capital.
Substitute Mohamed Belloumi broke the deadlock on 64 minutes and another sub, Joe Gelhardt, made it two almost instantly after coming on. The hosts were left to rue poor 1v1 defending for the opener and a catalogue of errors for the second.
Post-match, a gutted Neil told BBC London: “Just disappointment as much as anything else. We are the home team, we wanted to really force the issue and we rolled the dice a little bit early with putting another striker up front. But, I still thought we lacked quality in the game.
“I didn’t think there was enough quality shown in terms of getting into good areas, crosses into the box. And, I put the two guys who you would probably say has got the quality - in our squad - on to the pitch to try and influence that and give us a bit of momentum.
“But unfortunately, within one minute of them coming on the ball ends up in the back of our net. After that, we start chasing our tail a little bit and from there it becomes difficult for us. It has been a great season but all you feel is disappointment, frustration and naturally, as if you have let people down - the supporters, hierarchy, things like that.
“I’ve been very fortunate that I’ve had it the other way and it’s fallen in my favour. Unfortunately, it didn’t tonight and it’s a sore one. This level is always small margins. Now, I think to myself, ‘Did I roll the dice too early?’
“I know this is going to sound really strange but it has been one of my favourite seasons as a coach because the group has given me so much, the fans have got right behind the team and the ownership has given me nothing but complete support. From that perspective, I can only be thankful. I am just sorry that we didn’t do enough.”
While it was bitter disappointment for Neil, another former PNE man was celebrating at full time: ex-loan star Liam Millar. The winger has been with the Tigers since 2024 and played 78 minutes of the second leg. He could face old North End team mate and captain, Alan Browne, should Middlesbrough beat Southampton in Tuesday’s second leg at St Mary’s.