Hotshot Zak mishits the spot for happy boss Dean

DEAN HOLDEN didn’t care that Zak Vyner’s clinching goal was a complete mis-hit.

The young defender was making his first start for City in midfield and capped an impressive display with the strike that settled the game on 77 minutes.

Vyner took a swing with his left boot when the ball dropped to him in a crowded box.

And, while he failed to make proper contact, the ball found its way just inside the far post.

“I was right behind the shot and my only worry was it might spin wide,” said head coach

Holden. “Zak will score better ones but none more memorable, with it being his first for us.

“I thought his performance was outstanding and it was a strong team performance.”

Famara Diedhiou’s powerful downward header from Tommy Rowe’s eighth-minute corner had given the hosts a lead they deservedly held until the break.

But Preston improved and almost equalised on 57 minutes when Paul Huntington’s header clipped the bar.

But for all their second-half possession, North End failed to really test City keeper Dan Bentley.

Boss Alex Neil said: “We didn’t get started for 20 minutes.

“The players seemed to think we would be able to pop the ball around and play pretty football.

“City were aggressive and won the midfield battle. But from then on, I didn’t think there was much in it.”

BRISTOL CITY: Bentley 6; Hunt 7, Kalas 8 Mawson

8, Rowe 7; Adelukan 6 (Bakinson 86th), Vyner 7, Nagy

7, Palmer 7 (Massengo (70th) 6); Martin 7, Diedhiou

7 (Wells 78th)

PRESTON: Iversen 6; Fisher 6 (Ledson 86th), Huntington 7, Davies 7, Hughes 6; Browne 6; Whiteman 6 (Jakobsen 78th); Barkhuizen 5 (Potts

(66th) 6), Johnson 6 (Evans (66th), 6), Sinclair 6; Maguire 5 (Molumby 78th)

Tomas Kalas

D Whitestone