Preston North End 2-4 Millwall: Zian Flemming scores hat-trick for Lions

Zian Flemming has scored eight goals in his last 11 games for Millwall

Zian Flemming's hat-trick blemished Preston's fine defensive record to restart Millwall's push for a top six place in the Championship.

Both teams had eyes on a play-off spot heading into the final game before the World Cup break but the in-form Lilywhites, who had won their previous three, found themselves two down inside 16 minutes as Flemming struck twice.

The Dutchman opened the scoring early, controlling a pass from Andreas Voglsammer and turning to shoot into the bottom corner, before seeing his free-kick deflect into the Preston net off the wall.

Ryan Lowe's team fought back and four minutes later Andrew Hughes was credited with the final touch as fellow defender Alan Browne contested a corner, and the ball squeezed past goalkeeper George Long.

Preston equalised before half-time when Ched Evans got on the end of a Hughes cross to direct his header back across Long and into the far corner, sending the teams in level at the break.

The home side had the Championship's best defensive record going into the game, conceding just 16 in their previous 20 games.

Flemming continued to be a thorn in the side and when Danny McNamara's cross evaded three defenders, he calmly tucked away his hat-trick goal to restore Millwall's lead.

Millwall had gone into the game in a real dip in form, which had seen them fail to score in their last three, but they ended that run in fine style.

They made sure of the three points with 18 minutes left when Scott Malone's corner from the left was flicked on and Charlie Cresswell headed in at the far post for the Lions' fourth.

Preston manager Ryan Lowe told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"I haven't dissected it all just yet. Obviously disappointed and frustrated - we knew what was coming as Millwall are a handful in everything they do.

"Then the goals are criminal. I'm disappointed with the goals, because that's not us, is it?

"I told the group not to go out in the second half and do anything silly, just do the basics right and find a way.

"I thought we started brightly, had a couple of chances and then we get done by a ball in behind with the lad standing in there on his own for the ball being pulled back for the third. Then the fourth we switched off at a corner, allowed them to play the ball short and we lost our man at the back.

"We played some good stuff but you have to put the ball in the back of the net.

"I've showed the lads the goals, as we have a good group of lads who put their hands up - they make mistakes. We complicated things in our patterns of play instead of doing the basics right.

Millwall manager Gary Rowett:

"I thought the game swung in terms of control and pressure several times.

"It sums up this crazy Championship and the top end of it is settled by real quality.

"We have managed to find that in Zian. I thought there was a contentious goal (Preston's first) if I'm honest - the player holds George Long's arm.

"We started to step off, be nervous and they took control of the game. I was really disappointed at half-time.

"We needed to be the team to show that desire to win the game, because that was what was going to win it for one team. I had to change formation and that gave us more grip."