Clarke’s late winner stuns Cardiff
Tom Clarke’s 90th-minute header gave Preston a 1-0 victory at promotion contenders Cardiff and consigned Neil Warnock’s men to a third straight defeat.
The Preston captain bundled home from close range after Cardiff failed to clear a corner and the win sent Alex Neil’s improving side to within a point and a place of the play-off spots.
Cardiff were poor and Clarke’s strike showed the Welsh side still have much work to do if they are to reach the Premier League. But there was satisfaction for Neil.
“We have shown this year we can beat good footballing teams and we have also shown we can mix it with the physical sides,” he said. “We knew what was coming. It was just a case of whether or not we could stand up to it. That’s twice we have beaten Cardiff now and I thought if there was any football played, it was by us.”
Preston, who are unbeaten since Nov 4, created half chances in the first half for Daryl Horgan, Paul Gallagher and Alan Browne.
In truth the action was at times
Lead role: Captain Tom Clarke was the Preston hero with the winner against Cardiff unwatchable and the game continued in a similar theme after the break as Lee Tomlin and Horgan spurned opportunities for either side.
Both teams gambled with attacking substitutions in search of a winner and the visitors were rewarded for having the better of the final quarter by stealing a late goal.
Warnock said: “It’s disappointing to lose, but I can’t fault the effort of the players. It’s up to me to try and change it now.”
One goal also decided last night’s other Championship match, Steve Morison’s first of the season giving Millwall a home win over London rivals Queen Park Rangers.
Millwall had the upper hand in the first half, with efforts by George Saville, Lee Gregory and Jed Wallace going close. They finally gained an advantage 10 minutes into the second half when Morison powered in a header at the back post from a perfect cross by Wallace.
QPR substitute Matt Smith went close with a late header, but Millwall held on to ensure that Ian Holloway’s return to The Den ended in defeat.