MAG’S TOP-SHELF Neil: Sean so special...now he must score more

SEAN MAGUIRE sealed Preston’s first away win since March – and was then challenged to hit double figures this season.

Maguire’s first-half goal – and his second in successive games – took North End third in the table.

After forging a perfect record at Deepdale this season, Preston finally got their act together on the road.

And the only goal of the game came after 23 minutes when Maguire won a free- kick 20 yards out and skipper Paul Gallagher’s shot went under the Birmingham wall and hit the inside of the post.

Maguire was quickest to react and the Irish striker slotted home from close range.

Preston boss Alex Neil (right) said: “He’s a special player.

“It’s always nice when you’ve got someone in your team who can produce something from nothing. It’s such an ace to have up your sleeve.

“Those type of players are really difficult to handle because whatever you do, they will do something else.

“I’ve always thought Sean is a double- figures striker at this level.”

But Preston survived a couple of scares after the break and might have conceded a penalty when Maxime Colin’s cross hit Ben Davies’s hand.

Referee Stephen Martin waved play on. The officials frustrated the home fans again 12 minutes from time to deny Birmingham an equaliser.

Lukas Jutkiewicz looked to have set up a goal when he provided the cross for sub Alvaro Gimenez who crashed the ball into the roof of the net only to see the effort flagged offside.

Neil felt that

Preston could have had two penalties, with Maguire going down under challenges in each of the halves.

He added: “I think he should have had at least one penalty – you can’t just barge someone from the back.

“I spoke to the referee and he said he should’ve been stronger, but I’m not sure how much stronger he could be!

“In the second half, he shifted the ball and the lad caught his foot – if you don’t kick the ball but kick the man, it’s a penalty.”

Blues boss Pep Clotet was undecided over the offside shout and said that Davies’s handball was difficult to assess too – but was angry with ref Martin for calling a water break with 15 minutes left.

Spaniard Clotet made his feelings known as he protested the decision to hold up the game when Birmingham were staging a late rally.

He said: “The big shock was to see a water break in the game. That killed the whole momentum, that’s the first time I see this, I come from a country where games are played in 40-45 degrees heat.

“I’ve never seen a water break there. I’ve seen it in friendlies, this was not a friendly!

“You should play 45 minutes each half, the referee said our players were asking for the break, but I doubt it as we were in a really good moment.

“I’m disappointed for the fact that our fans can’t go to sleep tonight having watched Birmingham get back in the play-offs positions after three years.”