Millwall gave their play-off hopes a much-needed boost over the weekend as Shaun Hutchinson struck in the 78th minute to help seal a 1-0 victory over Preston.

Gary Rowett's side travelled to Deepdale in need of an improvement after they failed to win any of their previous four Championship matches, and Hutchinson pounced to net a header with 12 minutes remaining to seal a precious three points.

The Bermondsey outfit are now sitting ninth in the Championship table and they are four points adrift of the play-off zone with clashes against bottom-half sides Wigan and Birmingham now on the horizon for Rowett's men.

The Lions delivered a typically resolute performance against Alex Neil's promotion-chasing side in order to keep their fourth clean sheet in their last seven matches, and star defender Hutchinson then capped off his display with a goal late on.

Here, we take a closer look at Hutchinson's all-round superb display against the Lilywhites...

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Hutchinson's strong defensive displays have been a key component of Millwall's upturn in form since Rowett's appointment back in October, and the centre-back completed the full 90 minutes for the 12th straight Championship match at Deepdale.

The 29-year-old is obviously renowned for his defensive contribution to the Lions' side, but he also further proved his effectivity at the other end on Saturday as he nodded home his fifth goal of the season to win the game for his side.

This was not the first time Hutchinson had threatened Preston goalkeeper Declan Rudd during the match as he registered a total of three shots on goal over the course of the afternoon, with his goalscoring threat being an intrinsic part of his game.

However, it is Hutchinson's defensive performances which earn him most of his plaudits and he once again displayed this against Preston on Saturday, with his 11 successful aerial duels reflecting his dominance at the back for Rowett's side.

Hutchinson also produced a total of five defensive clearances against Preston, with this being the second-highest figure in the Lions' side behind fellow defender Jake Cooper as the pair restricted their opponents' chances throughout the game.

It should also be noted that Hutchinson recorded a pass completion rate of 67.9% over the course of the meeting, and while this may not seem too extraordinary, it is still the highest figure registered by any Lions defender against Preston.