Lions boost play-off hopes

23 April 2011 20:00
Phil Brown's bid to save Preston from relegation was dealt a hammer blow as Millwall kept alive their npower Championship play-off hopes with a thumping 4-0 victory. Lions defender Darren Purse headed the hosts in front in the 42nd minute from a James Henry corner and Josh McQuoid added a second two minutes later. McQuoid took a pass from John Marquis and fired into the top left corner with a superb right-footed strike from 30 yards. North End's 22nd defeat of the season was confirmed after the break as Marquis added a third, shooting low into the net from six yards. Henry's penalty sealed the rout in the 65th minute. North End goalkeeper Iain Turner felled McQuoid and Henry stepped up to fire home from the spot into the top right corner. The result lifted Millwall to within two points of sixth-placed Nottingham Forest and left Preston five points from safety with only three games remaining.

Source: PA