Preston North End 2 Millwall 1

THERE are times in the life of a professional footballer when he produces a magic moment he will never forget.

Such a moment came six minutes into the second half for Preston winger Lee Ashcroft.

With the scores level at 1-1, Macken picked up a pass in midfield and went on a run at the Millwall goal.

He beat his man and held off a couple of tackles, shielding the ball, waiting for support to arrive.

Cue Lee Ashcroft.

Macken played the ball to Ashcroft to his left, Ashcroft cut inside, rode a challenge and from 25 yards hit a scorching shot of such power that the ball was still rising as it flew into the top corner to be caught by the goalnet.

The ground erupted into a cauldron of noise, Deepdale Duck led the Town End's ecstatic applause and much arm waving, while Ashcroft himself, enjoying the moment, danced with glee.

It turned out to be the winner - and Preston deserved the three points that puts North End in seventh place in the division and in touch with the early season pacemakers.

Yet it all started so differently.

Six minutes into the match Millwall striker Richard Sadler hit a 30-yard drive of tremendous power and Molanen in the Preston goal had no chance.

The crowd got behind North End, but on 23 minutes central defender Colin Murdock hobbled off injured and Preston brought on Dean Barrick, with Ryan Kidd moving alongside Michael Jackson.

Preston forced a series of corners as Brian Law and Scott Fitzgerald put up a stubborn resistance and Millwall held on to their priceless lead.

Then, two minutes before the interval, Millwall failed to clear a searching cross into the goal area, Jon Macken pounced on the chance and headed Preston level.

So, it was 1-1 at half time and Preston then came at Millwall looking for the lead.

Then came the Lee Ashcroft spectacular and it was all over.

Millwall couldn't get back into the match and Moilanen was little more than a spectator in the Preston goal.

Michael Appleton came on for Sean Gregan and showed some nice touches and the crowd warmed to him.

He looks, along with Macken, a very good buy.

But the day belonged to Ashcroft's rocket - and for the man of the match look no further than Michael Jackson.

Report by Tom Parker, Red Rose 999 am

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