Win over Hull City on Monday could make Preston point an ‘okay’ one for play-off hunting Lions

Gary Rowett feels that Millwall’s 1-1 draw against Preston North End is an acceptable result in terms of their Championship play-off hopes staying alive – as long as they beat Hull City on Easter Monday.

The South London club started off slow and conceded after just six minutes when Murray Wallace turned into his own net. But the Scottish defender redeemed himself and scored the equaliser just 15 minutes later.

Rowett said: “We’re three points off [the top six] and we’re aware of the results, so it’s important we didn’t lose the game.

“We had a couple of moments in the second half where we created a couple of very, very good chances that could be the difference. Maybe there was a penalty shout at the end on Bradders.

“It was a pretty even game. First half we didn’t put enough energy into the performance – I was really disappointed with our start. The seven-hour coach journey up yesterday won’t have helped but Preston are a good side and you can’t allow them to dictate the game at home.

“They have very good home form and move the ball very well, so they caused us one or two problems. But on the whole we defended well and gave opportunities away by losing the ball in cheap areas and that was our issue first half.

“It was a little bit like the first half against Barnsley – maybe we were waiting for the game – and I said to the players if you want to win games like this at the end of the season you have to grab them by the scruff of the neck, you can’t wait.

“That was a little bit disappointing but we grew into the game, second half we were much better. We had a lot more control of the game in the second half. We still had to defend but overall it was about which side could take that one opportunity that could be the difference and neither could. A point for us might be okay if we go and win on Monday.”