You’ve let us down – Johnson
BRISTOL CITY 0 PRESTON NE 1
LEE JOHNSON blasted his City team for an inept display after Callum Robinson’s first-half goal extended Preston’s unbeaten run to seven games.
“I feel let down by the players today,” said the Robins head coach. “A lot of people from top to bottom of this club work long hours to give them the best possible environment to produce their best when they cross the white line.
“Today too many didn’t bring along their B game, let alone their A game. We were flat-footed and played reactively instead of proactively.
“We lacked confidence and character all over the pitch. That is not the sort of Bristol City performance I want to see and I have to take stock of everything during the international break.
“I still have faith in my players, but that was nowhere near good enough and places are up for grabs. Somehow we have to get our spark back. We remain in mid-table, not far off the play-off positions, so it certainly isn’t a crisis, but that doesn’t stop the hurt I am feeling.”
Robinson, a former City loanee, marked his 150th appearance for Preston by tapping in at the far post after 35 minutes after a burst into the box and cross from the right by Daniel Johnson.
The striker was an elusive runner throughout and his goal was enough to settle a lowkey contest of few chances, deservedly giving North End the points against a side they seem to love playing against.
City have not beaten them in a League game at Ashton Gate since 2010 and there was never much sign of the jinx being broken.
Preston were the better side throughout and the hosts left the pitch to a crescendo of boos as their dip in form continued.
The home side’s first shot came on 18 minutes when midfielder Liam Walsh’s tame effort from distance passed harmlessly wide.
City’s Famara Diedhiou put an early headed chance over the bar and at the other end Sean Maguire nodded straight into the arms of keeper Niki Maenpaa.
Two errors by Adam Webster almost cost City dear. First he lost possession and Maguire’s shot was saved by Maenpaa, who then had to react smartly to smother an effort from Tom Barkhuizen following an underhit back-pass.
Josh Brownhill had an 82ndminute free kick from 25 yards tipped over by Declan Rudd, but it was a rare moment of concern for the Preston keeper.
Preston boss Alex Neil said: “It was the perfect away performance from the team. This is a tough place to come and we have been as comfortable as I could have hoped.
“Now we can go into the international break with real momentum, looking up the table, rather than over our shoulders.
“I didn’t think Callum Robinson had worked hard enough in our previous game and told him so afterwards.
“He is a real team player and when he puts as much effort in as he did today he is a real handful.”