Hogan the Brum hero
the effort and attitude of the lads. And I think the supporters can see what we’re trying to do.”
German centre-back Bauer was the Lilywhites’ unlikely goalscorer just after the half-hour, his heels deflecting Alan Browne’s shot beyond keeper Neil Etheridge.
But despite controlling the first half and creating a RYAN LOWE could not string of fine chances, the understand how his Lancashire hosts were hit dominant Preston side with a real sucker-punch failed to finish off when Hogan pounced late Birmingham. on for his seventh league
Patrick Bauer put North goal of the campaign.
End on course for a third Wing-back Andrew league win in a row under Hughes spurned a glorious their new manager. chance, heading wide from
But Blues substitute Ben Whiteman’s cross,
Scott Hogan had other while striker Emil Riis and ideas and bagged a late Greg Cunningham wasted headed leveller. And the decent opportunities. visitors nearly Etheridge snatched a win twice thwarted when fellow striker Ched sub Ryan Evans with Woods saw his superb saves. effort cleared And they off the line. were made to
“I’m pay when disappointed, replacements we didn’t have Woods and that killerinstinct,” Hogan combined to admitted Lowe. give the Blues their
“We just needed that hard-fought equaliser. second goal to finish it off. Woods’ pinpoint cross
“We had opportunities to was perfectly directed finish the game off – and beyond Leicester City loan we didn’t take them. keeper Daniel Iversen by
“We’re probably 60 per Hogan, before himself cent of where we want to having a free-kick cleared be at the minute, but we’ve off the line at the death. got seven points out of nine “We showed great so far since I’ve come in. character to get something
“It’s good, but we want to from the game,” said Blues be better. If you can’t finish boss Lee Bowyer. those chances off, you’ve “We dug deep and kept got to defend at the other pushing and fighting. end of the pitch. “We kept going until the
“But their equaliser was end and got our rewards. a sloppy goal to concede. “And we could have However, I can’t question nicked it in the end.” PRESTON: Iversen 6, Van den Berg 6, Bauer 7, Hughes 7, Potts 7 (Barkhuizen 71), Browne 7, Whiteman 7, Cunningham 7, Johnson 6, Riis 7 (Maguire 72), Evans 6 (Sinclair 87).
Subs not used: Lindsay, McCann, Rafferty, Ripley.
BIRMINGHAM: Etheridge 6, Mengi 6, Roberts 6, Pedersen 6, Colin 6, Gardner 7, James 7, Sunjic 6 (Woods 83), Bela 6 (Bellingham 83), Hernandez 6 (Hogan 83), Jutkiewicz 6.
Subs not used: Trueman, Walker, Masampu, Campbell.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Alan Browne. Solid performance from the skipper, but deserved to get a victory.
REFEREE: Andy Davies 6.