Millwall 2-1 Preston

Claridge celebrates his two goals for Millwall

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Millwall striker Steve Claridge grabbed a goal in each half to further his side's claims for a First Division play-off place with a deserved victory over promotion rivals Preston.

The Lions started the brighter and Claridge went close with a close-range header wide in the 13th minute.

Goalkeeper Tony Warner then denied Preston's David Healy when he saved a header with his legs

Preston defender Graham Alexander gifted Millwall their opener as he woefully underhit his back pass and Claridge was able to seize on it before rounding David Lucas to slot the ball into an empty net.

The visitors rallied as half-time approached, but were hit further in the 43rd minute when Scottish international defender Colin Hendry was forced off through injury to be replaced by Adam Eaton.

Preston began the second half brightly and put pressure on Millwall's goal.

Healy fired a long-range shot wide after just 60 seconds before Warner saved brilliantly from a powerful Chris Lucketti header six minutes later.

Warner was quickly called into action again as Alexander was given a sight of goal from the right edge of the area.

The Lions weathered that storm though and went close themselves in the 57th minute when Neil Harris fired a ferocious volley narrowly wide of the target.

Tim Cahill brought an excellent save out of Lucas before Millwall doubled their lead in the 65th minute.

Matthew Lawrence crossed from deep on the left and Claridge rose unchallenged on the penalty-spot to loop a header into the Preston net for his 16th goal of the season.

Millwall's nerves were jangling when Healy pulled a goal back with six minutes remainingafter being put through by Richard Creswell.

And the Lilywhites went close to a dramatic equaliser when Paul McKenna forced a sharp save out of Warner in injury-time.

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Millwall: Warner, Lawrence, Nethercott, Ward, Ryan, Bircham, Cahill, Livermore, Kinet, Sadlier, Claridge. Subs: Gueret, Ifill, Harris, Bull, Braniff.

Preston: Lucas, Alexander, Lucketti, Hendry, Edwards, McKenna, Keane, Etuhu, Gudjonsson, Healy, Cresswell. Subs: Moilanen, Anderson, Basham, Eaton, Cartwright.

Referee: M Warren (Walsall).