NORTH End finally got the win they has been so desperate for - but it will be the actions of Millwall goalie Tony Warner that will make this game a memorable one.

As his team struggled to break down a resurgent North End in the second half, Warner lashed out at a ball boy in front of the Kop - all because he hadn't returned the the ball quickly.

The fans screamed for a card to be shown and police were forced to create a cordon between Warner - who conceded a free kick in his own area after scooping up a back pass from David Livermore 10 minutes into the second hald - and the fans, incensed by his actions.

But his actions did not over shadow the fact that, for the first time this season, North End were able to hold their heads high and leave with all three points.

The goal came early on, and seemed to be an indication that more would follow soon.

Lee Cartwright collected a pass inside the Millwall half, played it through to David Healy, who set up Graham Alexander.

Alexander's cross would have been just right for Richard Cresswell had he not stumbled in front of goal, leaving winger Iain Anderson to dive low and head the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

It was the perfect start to a match which had been preceded with boos for want-away striker Jon Macken when he trained in front of the Kop in the run up to 3pm.

It was a lead North End were to cling on to throughout the match, with Millwall scarcely troubling Tepi Moilanen at all, with the exception of veteran Steve Claridge and Steven Reid, who troubled Tepi into making his only save of the game.

But any hopes Anderson had of helping snaffle a second were shattered when he was clattered in the 21st minutes and forced off the pitch, to be replaced by Kevin Gallacher, himself recovering from injury.

Cartwright had a chance of his own on 17 minutes, and it would have been a wonder strike from 30 yards had he hit the net. He didn't.

On 34 minutes, Paul Mckenna hit a fantastic volley towards goal from an Alexander volley, only for it to be cleared off the line by Tim Cahill. Richard Cresweel also had a semi-decent chance, while Alexander was really pushing his luck with a 25 yarder.

Milllwall, in contrast, were reduced to the odd long shot as the heavens opened - soaking their few fans as well as the 11 Lions on the pitch.

Fears that North End could repeat their 'game of two halves' approach witnessed against Wolves last week soon disappeared as the second period got under way, with North End remaining in control.

Warner became rattled on 54 minutes when he scooped up a back pass, opening up a set-piece opportunity for North End inside Warner's box. Nothing came from it, but it was enough to send the jittery lions into a more physical form of play. Their passing became even more bitty, their tackles more desperate - and North End took command.

David Healy, active but not dangerous, was replaced by Macken on 64 minutes. He received a luke-warm reception - some fans chanting, others understandbly booing.

Whether the claims by David Moyes that he wasn't trying had upset him, or whether he didn't want to risk pulling his hamstring again was playing on his mind, we don't know.

But he certainly didn't seem as deadly as last season - save for when he relaeased Rob Edwards, who was denied by the legs of Warner.

Ryan Kidd, brought on for tiring Gallacher, had a good chance on 83 minutes when he jigged down the left wing before forcing Warner to push the ball around the post.

In the dying minutes of injury time, Macken set up Colin Murdock whose long drive fell straight in front of Warner - who now has to wait to see if the police will investigate his pushing of the ball boy.

For North End, it was the win they needed. Confidence will begin to come back - whatever was said in the wake of Tuesday night, it could yet prove to be the discussion which turned the season around.

Sean Gregan commanded midfield well and managed to stay out of the referee's book. But for the ref himself, it was another disappointment. Dermot Gallagher, once a top-flight whistle blower, never seemed in control of the game and if shoving a ballboy doesn't warrant a booking, I don't know what does.

RESULT:

PRESTON NORTH END 1 - 0 MILLWALL

(Anderson 3)

TEAMS:

PNE: Moilanen, Alexander, Edwards, Murdock, Lucketti, Gregan, Anderson (Gallacher 25 later replaced by Kidd ), McKenna, Cresswell, Healy (Macken, 62), Cartwright

MILLWALL: Warner, Phillips (Moody, 66), Ryan (Bull 88), Chaill, Nethercott, Tuttle, Ifill, Livermore, Claridge (Kinet), Sadlier, Reid