Ace Jordan is back in the good books now
A WEEK can be a long time in football – just ask Preston’s Jordan Hugill.
Last Saturday the striker was the villain after missing a penalty in the 0-0 draw at Wigan.
Yesterday he was the hero as his goal completed a Preston comeback and sealed their third win in four games.
Simon Grayson’s side are now just six points adrift of the play-offs and look a good outside bet to crash the top six party come May.
The North End boss said: “Some of the play we had in that second half was exceptional.
“But we lacked the ruthlessness to get the third and the fourth goal which would have made it a really comfortable afternoon.”
Kazenga LuaLua’s sublime backheel gave Ian Holloway’s side the lead but a curling effort from Aiden McGeady levelled before half-time.
Hugill’s close-range winner with less than 20 minutes left was his 10th league goal of the season.
Six minutes later, QPR’s task became even harder when midfielder Luke Freeman was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
An angry Holloway said: “I know Luke Freeman and I don’t think he put any weight on it. He’s tried to ride the tackle and not hurt anybody.
“Apparently the ref didn’t see it, the linesmen didn’t see it and the fourth official’s made an outrageous call and said it’s a second yellow.
“If it’s a stamping and it’s a deliberate stamping which he clearly says he saw, why isn’t that a direct red which we might be able to appeal?
“If someone stamps on you, I would definitely want them sent off – Luke didn’t do that.
“How can you make such a blatant error?”
And Holloway believes the incident is the latest indication that replay technology is required in the Championship.
“Get the fourth official sat looking at a screen and get the decisions right,” he said.
“If it’s good enough in the Premier League, then it’s surely good enough for this standard where we’re all trying to fight to get to the Premier League.”