PNE In Numbers: Sean Maguire's long Preston North End run comes to an end

The Irishman was an unused substitute in the 2-0 reverse at Deepdale.

It was the first time since August 2019 that Maguire wasn’t on the pitch for some part of a Championship match – a run of 47 games.

The last league match he didn’t get some action in was the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Maguire missed that one because of an eye injury.

For the last three games, Maguire had been on the bench with Emil Riis playing up front.

Maguire got on as a late substitute at Queens Park Rangers and Huddersfield but didn’t get the call from the bench against Millwall.

North End manager Alex Neil had used his three subs by the 64th minute.

Paul Huntington came on for the ill Patrick Bauer at half-time, with Josh Harrop replacing Brad Potts in the 55th minute.

Then Tom Barkhuizen took over from Ryan Ledson as Neil looked to get North End back in the game.

Neil admitted having to make a defensive change at the interval cost Preston an attacking substitution later in the second half.

It could well have been he had turned to Maguire had that final substitution been available.

For Huntington, it was his first Championship appearance of the season, having played twice in the Carabao Cup.

His last taste of league action had come against Derby in July during the restart period.

After that game he got a retrospective red card for violent conduct and a three-match ban.

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