By Jr
November 14 2004

The untimely death of former Millwall favourite Keith Weller put more than a dampener on what was otherwise a creditable 1-1 draw for the Lions at Preston North End last Saturday. The last time Weller played in the same fixture was back on 18th October 1969. Preston 1 Millwall 1

The untimely death of former Millwall favourite Keith Weller put more than a dampener on what was otherwise a creditable 1-1 draw for the Lions at Preston North End last Saturday.

The last time Weller played in the same fixture was back on 18th October 1969, and on that occasion the scoreline was exactly the same at Deepdale.

On that day also, Millwall fell behind but clawed their way back thanks to Gordon Bolland.

This time the Lions had Barry Hayles to thank although, after the match, player boss Dennis Wise claimed the ex-Fulham striker could have claimed a hat-trick - had he capitalised on all the chances that fell his way.

Wise said: “Barry is disappointed that he’s not come away with the match ball and I’m pleased he feels that way.

“He had three great chances before he scored and, although the keeper made a good save from one of them, he feels he should have hit the target with the other two.

“It’s three goals in five games now for Barry.

“You know what you’re going to get with him.

“He’s always going to get himself into positions to score.”

With strikers no longer a rare commodity at the club, Hayles has picked the right time to hit his purple patch in front of goal.

Scott Dobie became Millwall’s latest acquisition when he moved from West Bromwich Albion to the Den for a fee of £500,000, which could rise to £750,000 should the Lions achieve promotion.

The Scotland international was hardly flavour of the month with the Preston fans, as Dobie had rejected their club’s overtures in order to make the move to south London.

Although understandably ring rusty, Dobie showed enough promise to suggest he will prove to be an astute signing.

Wise said: “I was pleased with Scott on his debut.

“He worked very hard and it’s a shame that he didn’t really have any chances in front of goal as he looks deadly in training.”

Indeed, Millwall’s options upfront have also been bolstered by the return of Paul Ifill from injury, who though is generally employed as a winger can also perform a striker’s role if required.

Wherever Ifill plays, his pace and trickery causes opposition defences problems, and this was no exception on Saturday.

Coming on as a substitute with Millwall a goal behind, Ifill volleyed against the crossbar with only five minutes left on the clock as the Lions threatened to plunder an equaliser.

Just a couple of minutes later, Hayles came to the rescue with a header from Matt Lawrence’s cross to register Millwall’s fourth away goal of the season.

Wise said: “Unfortunately we didn't get a second goal.

“I am quite disappointed that we have not walked away with all three points, on the chances that we had.

"If we had scored a little bit earlier then Preston would have been in trouble."

On Sunday, Millwall host one of the biggest games of the season, with local neighbours and fellow promotion hopefuls West Ham United making the short trip across the river for a 12 noon kick off.