Deadly Johnson in seventh heaven
ALEX NEIL accepted 10-man Preston’s performance “wasn’t vintage” but said the win was the priority to keep their play-off hopes well and truly alive.
The Lilywhites secured the win through an emphatic finish from Daniel Johnson in the eighth minute, his seventh goal of the season.
It was ultimately enough and Neil’s men were able to survive the sending-off of right-back Darnell Fisher in stoppage time, who picked up his second booking for hauling down Amari’i Bell.
It was by no means a classic performance from the visitors, but they are well in the play-off hunt.
Only Norwich have amassed more points than Preston in the last six games, and their victory at Ewood Park made it five away wins on the bounce – their best run at this level of football since the 1950s.
After completing their first double over Blackburn since 1979, Neil was pleased his side dug in. He said: “There are hard fixtures between now and the end of the season and to keep the dream alive, we needed to come here and win.
“I thought we started really well. From five minutes to 20, we came into the game, played on top of them.
“The one real quality move we made, we scored the goal, which was excellent.
“After that, we sat a little deeper, absorbed pressure and hit Blackburn on the counter.
“It wasn’t vintage Preston shall we say, but the three points are the most important thing for us.”
Rovers started well and a neat through-ball from Bradley Dack allowed Adam Armstrong to race clear on the left, but the forward’s drive drifted wide of the far post.
But the Lilywhites punished Rovers with their first sight of goal in the eighth minute as Lukas Nmecha charged clear on the right and pulled the ball back to the waiting Johnson, who thrashed his effort into the roof of the net from 15 yards.
Preston were comfortable after the early strike, but were thankful for Rudd’s intervention midway through the first half when he was at full strength to tip Danny Graham’s looping header behind.
Former Rover Paul Gallagher weaved through the Blackburn defence in the 56th minute before seeing his shot smothered by David Raya, while at the other end, Rudd produced a stunning save to stop Ryan Ledson putting through his own goal.
Fisher saw red late in injury time, receiving his second yellow for bringing down Bell, and there was time for another Blackburn chance, but Armstrong got his header all wrong when unmarked 12 yards out, and with that, went the three points.
Tony Mowbray felt his Rovers team didn’t lack for commitment, but ultimately the quality did.
He said: “Performance-wise, effort, honesty and commitment were all there. The bit that makes the difference – bit of quality around the edge of the box, the final pass, contact on a finish, obviously wasn’t there.
“Ultimately, I can’t be too harsh on them.”