DICKSON Etuhu who put in a solid performance for the rejuvunated North End on Saturday insists the Whites can still make the play-offs.

The baby of Preston's side returned to action after a month on the sidelines and combined immaculately with fellow midfield maestro Brian O'Neil as Preston hit Craig Brown's short-term target of seven points from three home games.

And he predicted that a renewed level of confidence now prevailing within the North End camp would carry North End up the table.

He said: "The team are a lot more confident now and spirits are high, that's what comes from winning a couple of games.

"You never know what can happen in football. This is a tight league and you can easily slip in and out of the top bit.

"The gap is eight points and I am sure we can close it."

Perhaps the most noticeable difference in Preston's performances of late have been the presence of a silky-smooth midfield. Lee Cartwright has re-emerged fighting for a starting place -- and scored on Saturday -- and Etuhu was full of praise for O'Neil, his central midfield partner.

Etuhu said: "He's great to play alongside.

"I wasn't sure how I would go in the game having been out for a month, but Brian just talked us through the game.

"He's got a lot of experience and I think that is what we have needed in the centre of midfield."

After two wins on the bounce, Brown is disappointed that his side don't have a match this weekend. They had been due to travel to Turf Moor but Burnley, unlike Preston, are still in the FA Cup.

An attempt to close the free weekend with a game against David Moyes' Everton was blocked by the former Preston boss.

But Brown said: "I would have liked to get a longer run going but I am sure we can keep up the momentum until a week on Saturday.

"It will give Paul McKenna time to overcome his injury, and give Eddie Lewis time to get over the dead leg he got in the game."

Millwall boss Mark McGhee summed up the result by pointing out to Brown that 'it was Millwall you beat, not Manchester United' and a tired Millwall -- who had played Southampton midweek -- at that.

But that hasn't stopped Brown taking heart from the result, particularly the athleticism of Richard Cresswell and Etuhu.

He said: "Both have just come back from injury and ran all over the place. We have the physio to thank for that, and it is a great advantage to us."

Preston's next game is, again, at home a week on Saturday when Wolves visit Deepdale.