WE HAVE TO PREST OUR ADVANTAGE
BOLTON PRESTON MIDFIELDER Ben Pearson wants Preston to build up a head of steam following their 2-1 derby win at Bolton.
Alan Browne (above) and Tom Barkhuizen struck the goals in either half as North End chalked up a third straight away win.
But they had keeper Declan Rudd to thank for a blinding injury-time save after Clayton Donaldson had pulled a 90th-minute goal back for Bolton.
“We have players coming back and are managing to get a consistent team 1 2
selection,” said Pearson. “Things are coming together and we need to keep the run going.”
That was a view shared by Preston boss Alex Neil.
“Given the chances we had, we should have made it easier for ourselves,” he said. “It should have been a 4-0 or 4-1 type of game. But we are happy with the win and we just want to keep the momentum going.”
But disgruntled Wanderers boss Phil Parkinson said his side cannot be so sloppy if they are to avoid relegation.
“We can’t afford to give away cheap goals because we are up against decent sides,” he said.
“I thought we were disjointed – we have played a lot better.”
Browne’s clinical finish put Preston in front five minutes before the break and Neil’s men wrapped it up with eight minutes left when Barkhuizen slotted home.
Donaldson’s 90th-minute header set up a tense finish but Preston held out to move up to 14th in the Championship.
MATCH STATS
REF: ATT: MOTM DWIGHT GAYLE (WEST BROM)