Feeney strikes as Millwall claim scrappy win over Preston

By Tom Moore, at The Den Saturday, January 5, 2013
4:57 PM

Millwall reached the fourth round of the FA Cup after beating League One Preston with Liam Feeney scoring the only goal of the game.

In truth, the game was scrappy and the Lions defence had to survive spells of pressure from the Lilywhites.

Kenny Jackett’s side are now in the hat and could face holders Chelsea, Tottenham and a host of Premier League sides.

Millwall made the better start and James Henry’s free-kick was only cleared as far as Shane Lowry by the Preston defence.

The defender unleashed a shot from the edge of the area and Lilywhites stopper Steve Simonsen had to be alert to turn the ball behind for a corner.

The home side came closer after 20 minutes as a Henry corner was met by a fierce volley from Darius Henderson.

The shot took a deflection and bounced off the crossbar to safety.

Preston had their first chance of the match and they should have done much better with it as the Lions defence allowed Paul Huntington time and space in the penalty area to shoot but his effort was comfortably over.

But with just over half an hour gone the Lions took the lead. Adam Smith produced a marvellous run down the right hand side into the penalty area.

The Tottenham youngster knocked the ball across the crowded box and it found its way to Feeney, whose shot took a deflection on the way in.

The Lions should have doubled the lead 10 minutes later as Feeney’s cross found Henry on the right and his ball across goal was met by Dany N’Guessan.

However, his shot was cleared off the line by Huntington and the visitors were given a free-kick to end the danger.

The Lilywhites went back down the other end and nearly grabbed an equaliser through Nicky Wroe but his effort went high over the bar.

The home side had two good chances to double the lead and they both fell to Henderson.

The frontman was put clean through but was brilliantly tackled and then saw his shot tipped round the post by Simonsen.

Preston applied some pressure onto the Lions but the defence stood firm and the home side looked to add to their advantage and Simonsen had to be alert to tip N’Guessan’s effort around the post.

But Preston should have equalised in the final six minutes as Stuart Beavon fired wide from 12 yards out.

Millwall goalkeeper David Forde came to the rescue to deny the Lilywhites again as the Lions held out to claim the win and progress to the fourth round.

Millwall: Forde, Smith A, Lowry, Beevers, Osborne, Henry, Feeney (Batt 46), Abdou, Wright, Henderson (Smith J 87), N’Guessan.

Unused Substitutes: Taylor, Dunne, Racon, Marquis, Wilkinson.

Preston North End: Simonsen, Mousinho (Cummins 81), Huntington, Robertson, Candsell-Sherriff (Byrom 46), Kane (Amoo 46), Wroe, Welsh, Buchanan, King, Beavon.

Unused Substitutes: Stuckmann, Procter, Beardsley, Hayhurst.

Referee: Craig Pawson.

Attendance: 5,634.