It was old late February that we last visited The Den, with Preston North End completing the double over the Lions, thanks to an opening 27-minute burst in south east London.
Goals from Andrew Hughes, skipper Tom Clarke – his last game, after an injury picked up that day ended his season early – and Sean Maguire, gave Alex Neil’s men a blistering start, with the home side only managing a 67th consolation through Ben Thompson.
This was the Lilywhites’ first double over Millwall since 2005/06. That year, it was the away game first, with David Nugent playing 90 minutes for the side in a game that saw Patrick Agyemang the match-winner.
The result meant the hosts remained bottom of the table in early September. David Jones opened the scoring for PNE with a 25-yard free-kick, after Alan Dunne had fouled Nugent. The North End striker had a chance to double the lead from eight yards out, before Don Hutchison equalised with another free-kick.
Carlo Nash then saved from Barry Hayles before Marvin Elliott gave away possession and Agyemang raced clear to score the winner.
There have been 61 meetings in the league between the sides, with 64 in all competitions. Neil Harris side currently lead the league head-to-head 28 wins to 26.
North End didn’t win any of their first three trips to face Millwall, but came out the wrong end of a superb 12-goal thriller back in October 1930, winning 7-5 at the old Den. It was then almost 50 years before their next win though, coming in the final away game of the 1978/79 season, with a 2-0 triumph.
Following last season’s thumping win, the club will be hoping they don’t need to wait as long for the next win at The Den this time around!