MASTERCLASS
Delight at Deepdale as evergreen skipper tames plucky Terriers
said Cowley. “It was pretty reckless. Sometimes a referee can almost be too on top of an incident, but there were four of them out there and I think the fourth official knew it was a red.
“Nevertheless, you have a choice in those moments. You’re either a victim or a fighter. And I think our players were victims.”
Victims exploited savagely by a ruthless Preston side.
Time and again the ball was lofted into the box, and when everybody missed a Tom Barkhuizen mortar just past the half hour, Browne darted past Danny Simpson to finish at the far post.
The consensus at half-time was that Huddersfield must surely improve, but things would get worse before they got better.
Six minutes after the break, the excellent Barkhuizen fizzed in another cross. This one hit Terence Kongolo’s arm, Geoff Eltringham pointed to the spot and Gallagher did what he’s done since what seems about 79BC. Indeed, it was the skipper’s departure after 72 minutes that turned the tide.
Shorn of his composure in the centre, a tiring Preston ceded territory and possession. Moments later, a foothold was secured in spectacular fashion.
Picking the ball up in his own half, Bacuna weaved, bundled and flat-out fluked his way through a series of weak challenges, then let fly from the edge of the box and saw his deflected effort squirm past Declan Rudd.
“We have to look at ourselves,” added Cowley. “I’ve been a manager for 13 years and I can probably count on one hand the amount of times my teams have been outfought. So when it happens like today, it hurts.
“But you also have to credit Preston. They are an outstanding team and Alex deserves all the credit coming his way.”