Millwall 0-0 Preston: FLW reports as Whiteman’s missed pen helps specialists share another draw

Ben Whiteman’s missed penalty helped the Championship tie between draw specialists Millwall and Preston North End end goalless at The Den this evening. 

The North End midfielder hammered his spot-kick against the post in the 65th minute with what proved a golden opportunity in a game bereft of attacking quality.

Only Derby County have drawn more Championship games in 2021/22 than the two sides that met in south London this evening while not even Jed Wallace’s first appearance since December could help Gary Rowett’s side make the breakthrough in a game that further emphasised how important the arrival of Sheffield United loanee Luke Freeman – who was announced hours before kick-off – could be.

There was very little for either set of fans to get excited about in a fairly stale first half but Maikel Kieftenbeld brought The Den to his feet with a rocket of a volley after 28 minutes, though it was nodded over the top by a Preston defender.

Both goalkeepers were forced into their first proper saves of the night in the proceeding few minutes as Mason Bennett and Emil Riis unleashed long-range efforts but neither ever really looked like finding the net.

Luckily for the supporters present at The Den, the opening few minutes of the second half provided more excitement than the 45 that they had followed.

First, a floated ball forward from Danny McNamara set Benik Afobe through but his heavy touch allowed Iversen to get out and smother.

Then, Kieftenbeld gleefully accepted Preston’s invitation to drive forward toward their box and sent a swerving strike just to the right of the post.

We passed the hour mark goalless and with the game yearning for some attacking quality, Rowett looked to add some from the bench in the form of Connor