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Jed Wallace's volley screams past Declan Rudd for Millwall's winner

Jed Wallace's spectacular volley got Millwall's season off to a winning start against Preston, securing only their second home victory of 2019.

Wallace clipped in Connor Mahoney's left-wing cross for what proved to be the winner, after Declan Rudd had earlier tipped over his shot.

Preston, winners on the past two season-opening weekends, had plenty of the ball in both halves without creating enough chances.

Sean Maguire's marauding run and shot wide was their brightest opportunity.

There was even an early introduction for Millwall's summer signing Bartosz Bialkowski, after Frank Fielding was forced off by injury in the opening 45 minutes.

The home side had the better of few clear-cut chances across the board and took the key one, while Preston perhaps missed the presence of striker David Nugent, who was unavailable with a knee injury.

Last season's lower-half finishes proved something of a disappointment for both of these clubs having challenged for promotion the season before, and none more so than for Millwall.

They went from eighth to 21st in a season as they struggled against relegation for much of the campaign, and this morale-boosting win lifted the crowd at The Den.

New signings were on show for both clubs, notably the hosts' big target-man forward Matt Smith and defender Patrick Bauer for Alex Neil's North End.

Andre Green was brought on for Preston as they chased the game for the final quarter of an hour, while Lions forward Tom Bradshaw made his first appearance since November 2018 following a knee injury.

Millwall boss Neil Harris:

"The team were in complete control. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I can't remember my goalkeeper making a save.

"There was a different feel (to last season), I've got a different group of lads. What was special was the group that's building in that changing room got to play in and witness that atmosphere. That was quite phenomenal.

"It surprised me but it was great and I was delighted for the fans. The fact we finished last season with disappointment, relief in the end, and over the course of the summer the excitement has grown because of the acquisitions that we've made."

Preston manager Alex Neil:

"I don't think there was much in the way of chances for either team - apart from the goal, Declan (Rudd) only had one other save to make so it wasn't a great game.

"We didn't do enough, it was a very average performance from us.

"We always knew it was going to be tough game. Millwall turn the ball up to (Matt) Smith, they get round it, play for second balls, put it wide, get balls into the box and put you under pressure.

"That is exactly what happened and in the first half, we didn't deal with it well enough."