Ryan Leonard and Luke Cundle scored the goals for the Lions

Preston North End were beaten 0-2 by promotion chasing Millwall on Saturday.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side made a bright enough start to the contest, with a clear effort to avoid playing into the Lions’ hands. Ben Whiteman’s corner was met by Andrew Hughes, who saw his header blocked. Lewis Dobbin then picked out Brad Potts and his drilled shot was collected by Anthony Patterson.

Mid way through the first half, though, Millwall began to play the match on their terms and cause the hosts some issues. The commanding Jake Cooper kept a set-piece alive and Josh Coburn saw his headed effort cannon back off the post. Alex Neil’s team then hit the front after Preston failed to clear another set-play.

The ball dropped kindly for Ryan Leonard - operating at right back on the day - and he stroked his first time effort into the bottom right corner, before wheeling away to the 1,700 away fans in the Bill Shankly Kop. After that, it was Millwall who finished the half stronger and had a handful of opportunities to extend their advantage.

Firstly, Camiel Neghli was played through down the left but his low drive whistled wide of the far corner, and also evaded the arriving Josh Coburn. Millwall’s corner, not long after, saw an unmarked Cooper steer an effort at goal. Dai Cornell then produced a magnificent save, at full stretch, to keep out Neghli from distance.

In a game where the first goal was always going to be key, North End struggled to carry a threat as Millwall mopped up most things thrown at them. Heckingbottom turned to his bench on the hour mark, making a triple substitution. It was one of the starters - Callum Lang - who had Preston’s first meaningful attempt of the half.

The club record signing found space inside the box, front facing, and waited for the right time to pull the trigger. A last-ditch block, though, took all sting out of the shot and Patterson was able to routinely gather. Persistent from substitute Milutin Osmajic then saw him presented with a close range shooting chance, with it blocked once again.

It was PNE who had the onus on them to get back into the game, but all notable final third action came at the other end. Azeez drove inside and fired just wide with his right foot, before Coburn sliced a powerful hit high and wide. Azeez then raced through on goal, only for Cornell to smother his 1v1 effort.

In second half injury time, the points were sealed as substitute Luke Cundle tapped home from Azeez’ low cross - sparking a max exodus in the home stands, on a deeply disappointing afternoon for PNE.

Attendance: 15,489 PNE starting XI: Cornell; Offiah, Gibson, Hughes, Potts (Valentin 62’), Whiteman (c), McCann (Devine 75’), Vukcevic (Brady 62’), Lang (Smith 90’), Dobbin (Osmajic 62’), Jebbison. PNE unused subs: Walton; Storey, Thompson, Moran.