POTTERS SINK TO NEW LOWE

1 Preston 2

MICHAEL O’NEILL promised a promotion push in the second half of the season, but his Stoke players are failing to live up to his words.

Jeers from fans greeted the final whistle, while many had already headed for the exit before the end after watching Preston fight back from a goal down.

One win in seven at the bet365 Stadium is an unacceptable return for a side with play-off ambitions.

And Potters boss O’Neill admitted: “Harsh words have been said in the dressing room and they needed to be said. Players are falling short at this moment and we have to find a way.

“We look vulnerable, lacking in confidence and we have to address that. We had an opportunity today after a great goal and didn’t take it.

“But when they scored their equaliser we stopped playing and that’s a mentality situation. We looked leggy and could not recover.

“Our home results have not been good. Games have been tight but we have not done enough to win. That sucks away confidence.”

New Preston boss Ryan Lowe had sensed an opportunity after watching Stoke lose to Derby last week. Lowe did not lose faith even when defender Ben Wilmot put the Potters in the driving seat with a 30-yard thunderbolt out of nothing.

Brad Potts equalised with a superb volley – his first goal of the season – courtesy of Daniel Johnson’s assist. Then nine minutes from time Andrew Hughes (left) headed Ben Whiteman’s corner past Adam Davies.

Lowe said: “When the opposition score a world-class goal you think it’s going to seal the game.

“But we showed great character and resilience. What happened was superb from us and we had them on the back foot. We felt we could get something from here.”