Millwall 2 Preston North End 1 – Malone scores another stunner as Bennett seals victory at Den

Scott Malone produced another superb strike as Millwall extended their unbeaten run at The Den to six matches.

Mason Bennett struck with three minutes to go to seal maximum points for the Lions, who had to come from behind after an excellent opener by Preston striker Ched Evans.

The result keeps alive the South London club’s slender hopes of the top six as they trail in-form Cardiff – 4-0 victors over Derby tonight – by seven points.

North End went ahead on 12 minutes, Ched Evans produced an excellent first-time volley across Bart Bialkowski after Scott Sinclair’s cross was not headed far enough away from danger by George Evans.

Malone’s leveller made it two standout goals that were at odds with a dreadfully scrappy first period. The left wing-back was invited to shoot from about 20 yards out and duly obliged, curling beyond Daniel Iversen.

Bennett clipped the top of the bar as he met Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s right-wing cross in the 68th minute, the officials allowing play to continue despite a clear pull on the Icelandic international by Andrew Hughes.

Millwall were the better side in the second half and Jed Wallace drove across the face of goal from a tight angle after being slipped in on the right of the box by Ryan Woods.

Woods was also the architect for the clincher. He dropped a ball over the top of Preston’s backline and Bennett beat a hesitant Iversen to head home for his fourth goal of the campaign.