Bark packs big bite too
SIMON GRAYSON hailed his Preston side after they produced their “best performance of the season” to brush aside fellow promotion hopefuls Reading.
A goal in each half from Tom Barkhuizen either side of one from another January signing, Daryl Horgan, was enough to ease them past travel sick Reading, who have not won on the road since January.
Preston are just six points off the play-offs after only one defeat in the last seven games.
But despite his side hitting red-hot form at a crucial part of the season, Grayson called for more from his players.
He said: “All round this was probably our best performance of the season.
“We defended properly and that gave a platform for the ball players to go out there and express themselves.
“We are delighted to beat a team sitting in the play-off places, but I feel we could have had a few more goals.”
Preston had to defend well from the start and there was no indication of how one-sided the scoreline would become in the opening exchanges with goalkeeper Chris Maxwell producing a string of fine saves.
But the home side were put on the road to victory thanks to man of the moment Barkhuizen, who scored his third goal in as many games on the half hour. The 23-year-old skilfully swept Horgan’s clever cut-back over the head of Ali Al-habsi and into the net.
Barkhuizen returned the favour minutes later as Reading went looking for an equaliser only to get caught out by a lightning counter-attack.
Horgan tucked the ball away at the second attempt following a lung-bursting run from his team-mate.
A now rampant Preston, who are unbeaten in the Championship at fortress Deepdale this year, continued to tear the visitors to shreds after the break and Barkhuizen produced a poacher’s finish for his second goal.
Reading were condemned to their third straight defeat on the road, leaving boss Jaap Stam looking nervously over his shoulder at the teams pushing for their play-off place.
“To me there should be no difference from playing at home or away,” said Stam. “This is something we need to sort out and do it quickly.
“This game was more important than playing Newcastle as they are in the top two and will finish there. It is teams like Preston we need to beat to stay in the top six.”