THEY say be on your guard for street crime when in London because there is every chance you will be mugged.

And so it proved to be for North End who, after two important wins against Midlands sides, have every right to feel cheated after leaving London.

Millwall striker Steve Claridge grabbed a goal in each half to cement his side's play-off place - but fortunatley other results went North End's way to leave them still in with a shout.

Goalkeeper Tony Warner then denied Preston's David Healy when he saved a header with his legs before Graham Alexander became the first victim of the night.

Like the tourist who leaves his camera round his neck, his woeful backpass for David Lucas was pounced upon by Claridge who nipped round David Lucas to open the scoring.

North End were soon back on their feet, although the loss of Colin Hendry through injury meant they had to be even more warey.

After the break, Healy fired a long range shot wide after just 60 seconds before Warner stopped a Chris Lucketti header with 51 minutes on the clock.

Then Warner - the man banned for having a go at a North End ballboy last year - saved from Graham Alexander's effort.

On 57 minutes, Neil Harris fired a volley wide before Lucas defended North End from further assaults on their goal by saving from Tim Cahill.

Tim Cahill brought an excellent save out of Lucas before Millwall doubled their lead in the 65th minute.

Matthew Lawrence crossed from the left and Claridge rose unchallenged to loop a header into the Preston net.

His 16th goal of the season, but like the man who has his car broken into, North End will take little solace from the fact they aren't his first victims.

With six minutes remaining, Healy pulled a goal back after being put through by Richard Creswell.

And it could have been level in injury time had Paul McKenna's attempted shot not produced a good save from Warner.

MILLWALL... 2 PNE... 1