CLARKE on the MARK
Woe for Warnock as Preston skipper grabs late winner
TOM CLARKE headed a 90th-minute winner for Preston as Cardiff’s festive slump continued.
The North End skipper bundled home from close range after the Bluebirds failed to clear a corner – sending Alex Neil’s side to within a point of the play-off spots.
Neil Warnock’s Cardiff were poor and they have now lost their last three games.
The first half was woeful as both teams failed to provide a real moment of quality.
Preston – who went into this game unbeaten since November 4 – passed the ball better and created half chances for Daryl Horgan, Paul Gallagher and Alan Browne.
Cardiff striker Kenneth Zohore had a shot blocked, while Lee Tomlin did not have the pace to benefit from a rare home counter attack.
This mediocre encounter continued in a similar theme after the break as Tomlin and Horgan had chances for either side. Both teams gambled in search of a winner, Junior Hoilett and Omar Bogle introduced for Cardiff, with Josh Harrop and Callum Robinson entering the fray for Preston.
And North End were rewarded for having the better of the final quarter by stealing a late winner.
Bruno Manga denied Preston’s Jordan Hugill what would have been a tap in with a sublime clearance and the defender then went close with a header at the other end.
But there was still time for Cardiff to throw away a share of the spoils and for Preston to steal victory as Clarke came up trumps.