Jed Wallace’s first half volley was enough for Millwall to get their 2019/20 season off to a winning start against Preston North End.

Wallace’s strike from the hugely impressive Conor Mahoney’s delivery on 33 minutes was enough to separate the sides in a game where both Lions didn't have to make a save.

Neil Harris started four ‘new’ signings in a rousing atmosphere as they saw of an Alex Neil side who had won 3-1 at The Den in their last visit.

Skipper Alex Pearce, Matt Smith, Frankie Fielding and Mahoney all started for the ‘new look’ Lions whilst Bartosz Bialkowski also debuted coming on for the injured Feilding between the sticks.

Quick Start

In a roaring Den both sides went close early on.

Wallace saw a well improvised long-range effort superbly tipped over by visiting keeper Declan Rudd on two minutes.

Showing he’s as useful in the defensive box, new signing Matt Smith headed Alan Browne’s fierce goal-bound volley off the line.

Preston imposed their possession-based style of play on the game in the first half but it was Millwall’s direct threat through the impressive Mahoney, Wallace and Aiden O’Brien which caused chaos.

Shortly after Ben Thompson’s penalty appeal was waved away on the half hour, the Lions broke the deadlock through a speedy break involving both wingers.

Mahoney, whose trickery created space on the left, sent in a cross that Wallace stepped back to strike a volley that had too much fizz on for Rudd.

An impressive opening 45 ended sourly for the Lions as goalkeeper Frankie Fielding left the field with what looked like a back injury on his competitive debut.

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Comfortable Second Half

A frantic opening to the second half saw Millwall try and turn the screw.

They’ll count themselves unlucky as two big decisions went against them.

Jake Cooper’s penalty appeal after being dragged to the floor was waved away, shortly before Andrew Hughes somehow avoided Stephen Martin’s second yellow card for bringing down Mahlon Romeo.

Millwall looked comfortable despite Neil’s Preston making three attacking changes.

Neither side looked like creating a clear chance but that won’t worry Harris, as he got his new revamped squad off to a winning start at The Den, and the atmosphere certainly has a different feel to that at the close of last season.

Millwall:

Fielding (Bialkowski 33’), Romeo, Cooper, Pearce, Murray Wallace, Williams, Thompson, Jed Wallace, Mahoney, O’Brien (Leonard 69’), Smith (Bradshaw 78’)

Subs: Bialkowski, Hutchinson, Bradshaw, Ferguson, Leonard, Bodvarsson, Skalak.

Preston North End:

Rudd, Pearson, Clarke, Bauer, Browne, Davies, Potts (Bodin 57’), Barkhuizen (Stockley 57’), Maguire, Hughes, Gallagher (Green 73’)

Subs: Ripley, Fisher, Johnson, Storey, Green, Stockley, Bodin