Four takeaways from Millwall’s 1-1 draw at Preston North End – reliable performer makes amends and is it time to change it up for Hull City match?

Millwall drew 1-1 at Deepdale against Preston North End on Saturday afternoon as they were forced to settle for a point in their hunt for the play-offs.

Murray Wallace turned into his own net after just six minutes but then produced a bullet header to level.

Here are Kai Bennett’s four takeaways from the match.

ONE POINT GAINED OR TWO POINTS DROPPED?

On a day when results went Millwall’s way, the Lions couldn’t capitalise. Sixth place Sheffield United – the team Millwall have to catch – lost 2-1 at home against Reading in the last minute.

Blackburn Rovers also lost 2-1 at Peterborough, a late flurry of goals from their hosts causing the damage. When Millwall levelled up against the North End they did look to be the team in the ascendancy pushing for that winner.

Chances fell to Benik Afobe, Jed Wallace and Danny McNamara in a matter of seconds but they couldn’t find a way past Daniel Iversen.

Heading into the Easter Monday clash against Hull a draw would have been a minimum for Gary Rowett’s Lions – but it’s a result that could’ve been so much more.

MURRAY WALLACE ATONES FOR UNFORTUNATE OPENER

When the usually faultless Lions centre-back turned into his own net in the opening exchanges you felt maybe it just wasn’t going to be his day.

But he came roaring back – a Jed Wallace floating delivery was met by the head of the former Scunthorpe defender atoned for his earlier mistake.

From then on Wallace looked as reliable as ever, winning five tackles – more than anyone else on the pitch.

The Scotsman also won two aerial duels and had a passing accuracy of 86 per cent – the highest out of any of the Millwall players.

“OUTSTANDING” JED WALLACE

Millwall manager Gary Rowett hailed the Lions’ number seven as “outstanding” in the draw against Preston North End.

The 28-year-old assisted Millwall’s equaliser – a nice bit of skill on the edge of the box gave him enough room to float a delivery in for the head of Murray Wallace.

Every time the South London club went forward, Wallace was always in the centre of the move – picking up spaces in pockets to lure the home defence in before he tried to thread balls into Millwall’s front two of Oliver Burke and Benik Afobe.

The attacker completed two dribbles and was involved in 6.2 per cent of Millwall’s overall possession for the afternoon. The Lions chief labelled him as Millwall’s best performer at Deepdale and he was the one that looked most likely to create a potential winner.

SWITCH IT UP?

Games are coming thick and fast as the Championship season is drawing to a close with Millwall in action again on Easter Monday against Hull City.

Rowett has spoken a lot recently about switching it up and utilising the Lions’ depth after a number of players have returned from injury.

After Millwall’s defeat against Swansea, Rowett admitted that he thought about changing it up before he did for the South London club’s 4-1 win over Barnsley.

Fresh legs and energy is exactly what you need going into the last run and perhaps giving some players a rest is exactly what could work – just like it did against Barnsley.

Going into the last four games of the season, obviously you want to be playing your best team week in week out, but bringing fresh players in could be exactly what Millwall need to add that extra spark on Monday.