Gutted Ryan laid Lowe by Ugbo’s late magic Bulut
HEAD HUNTER:
TWO sucker punch strikes by never-say-die Cardiff killed off high-flying Preston – with both goals coming in the last three minutes of added-on time.
It looked as though proud Preston would notch up their third win in a row after record signing Milutin Osmajic hit his fourth goal of the season.
But after Robbie Brady had been sent off for his second yellow shortly after the break, Preston were up against it.
And with nine minutes added on at the end, Karlan Grant watched his 96th-minute effort deflected in off a post.
Then, to add to the late drama, sub Ike Ugbo headed in the winner from a cross by fellow substitute Ryan Wintle with just 10 seconds left on the clock.
Cardiff boss Erol Bulut used the “mistake” that led to Preston’s goal to spur his side on and said: “My team never gives up. We fight to the end and keep our concentration.
“The changes we made with the substitutions did the trick for us. In the end, we deserved the win, and we are all delighted.”
Preston gaffer Ryan Lowe said: “I’m totally gutted to lose a game in that manner.
“They’re on the floor in there, but I’m proud of them. To lose in the 99th minute is a kick in the teeth, and it’s so disappointing.
There’s no blame culture, but we switched off and they managed to get those two goals to win.
“We were dead on our feet but there are no excuses from us.”
Osmajic’s opener was itself a classic. The 24-year-old Montenegro international blocked Mark Mcguinness to gain possession, then set off towards goal with one thing on this mind.
Desperate Bluebirds keeper Alex Runarsson tried valiantly to narrow his angle in a one-on-one showdown, but Osmajic kept his cool to finely place his shot wide of the Icelandic stopper and into the net.
Preston looked to be set to hold out with ten men, but then came those two late goals – and Cardiff‘s 800 fans went home delighted.
PRESTON: Woodman 7; Storey 6, Lindsay 7, Best 6 (Hughes (55) 6); Potts 7, Brown 6, Wightman 6, Holmes 6, Brady 5; Evans 6 (Ledson (55) 6), Osmajic 8 (Millar (83) 5) CARDIFF: Runarsson 7; Ng 7, Goutas 6, Mcguinness 6 (Panzo (75) 5), Collins 6; Ralls 6 (Colwill (71) 5), Siopis 6 (Wintle (90) 6); Bowler 6 (Tanner (71) 5), Robinson 6, Grant 7; Meite 6 (Ugbo (71) 7) STAR MAN: Milutin Osmajic – Preston’s striker made all the difference with his carefully-crafted strike but it was all in vain. REF: Robert Madley 7