Paul Gallagher's honest assessment of his performance in Preston North End's win over Millwall

Paul Gallagher was critical of his own performance despite playing a vital role in Preston North End's win over Millwall.
Paul Gallagher goes for goal in Preston's win over Millwall on SaturdayPaul Gallagher goes for goal in Preston's win over Millwall on Saturday
Paul Gallagher goes for goal in Preston's win over Millwall on Saturday

The 34-year-old laid on the first two goals for Alan Browne and Tom Barkhuizen but then felt his levels dropped after the interval, PNE needing Andrew Hughes’ deflected free-kick to make sure of a 3-2 win.

After a cagey opening 37 minutes Gallagher drove at the stubborn Millwall backline with his pass going under the feet of Lukas Nmecha and finding Browne.

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Five minutes later the midfielder’s perfectly-weighted ball from inside his own half released Barkhuizen who beat Jordan Archer one-on-one.

Paul Gallagher goes for goal in Preston's win over Millwall on SaturdayPaul Gallagher goes for goal in Preston's win over Millwall on Saturday
Paul Gallagher goes for goal in Preston's win over Millwall on Saturday

“I thought it was a mixed bag from me to be honest,” said Gallagher.

“I think I had my boots on the wrong feet in the second half. I couldn’t pay water as the saying goes!

“I did have a shot not long after half-time and thought was that destined to go in and the ‘keeper has plucked it out of the top corner.

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“That’s me being serious, I set standards for myself and even in the first half I could have played forward a bit more.

Gallagher in the thick of the action as PNE continued their good run in the ChampionshipGallagher in the thick of the action as PNE continued their good run in the Championship
Gallagher in the thick of the action as PNE continued their good run in the Championship

“Because as you saw, when I do, we’ve got the players there to score goals.

“Tom Barkhuizen makes a great run and it’s a great finish. We have quite a good relationship. He knows if I’ve got the ball he can make a run and I’ll try and find him.”

Two goals in five minutes late in the opening period may have put PNE in command of a drab game but they had to go toe-to-toe with Millwall in a more open second period.

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Alex Neil’s side are now closer to the play-offs than the bottom three after just one defeat in their last 12 games.

“You know what you’re going to get from Millwall,” said Gallagher.

“They are going to put balls in your box and ask questions of you.

“Even going at half-time 2-0 up we weren’t happy with the performance and knew we could play a lot better.

“But in this league you just need to take the wins.

“Not many people will remember that game in a few days, it wasn’t the best of games.

“It’s about the three points which gets us looking a bit more up the table rather than behind us.”