Millwall top of the Championship standings for key stat – and it helped secure win over Preston North End

Millwall manager Gary Rowett was pleased to see his side’s set-piece prowess once again come to the fore in yesterday’s 2-0 win over Preston North End.

According to stats site Whoscored.com, the Lions have scored 23 goals via deadball moments – the highest in the Championship. Next on the list is Sheffield United with 19.

Rowett has been left infuriated by a lack of fouls being given on big centre-back Jake Cooper when he is manhandled in the box. But the centre-back provided the key knockdown from a Scott Malone free-kick for Zian Flemming to convert first time with his right foot, adding to Tom Bradshaw’s first-half header.

Asked about the fact Millwall’s set-piece goals had dropped off previously, the Lions chief said: “Our goals have dried up everywhere, really. But our chances haven’t. Scoring goals is the hardest thing to do. That’s why strikers get the big bucks. Bradders probably won’t agree with me on that one!

“That is why strikers are so important to us. Bradders and Zian have been so influential this season. But when you can’t score those open play goals, we pick a big and strong team – it’s part of what we’re good at.

“I’ve said it before that the lads do really good work, we work hard to try and do it. It was nice to score a couple of goals from that. A lot of games we have scored and the second one has been a free-kick or it’s been a corner – it’s just taken the game away from the opposition. Today, once again, it highlights how important those goals are.”