Will’s cracker is spark for Potters

WILL SMALLBONE’S stunning strike opened the way for a joyful return to Deepdale for Stoke boss Alex Neil.

And just eight minutes later, Neil’s happiness was sealed when Tyrese Campbell was gifted the chance of cracking home the Potters’ second goal to send Preston to a second successive defeat.

Campbell had two markers as he waited his chance, but both Alan Browne and Bambo Diaby stood off, waiting for each other to get in the tackle.

A grateful Campbell grabbed his unexpected chance to hit the ball low and hard, easily beating keeper Freddie Woodman, who wasn’t expecting the shot.

Credit to Campbell, but it was midfield maestro Smallbone who set the victory in motion. After being set up by Dwight Gayle, the 22-year-old loanee from Southampton hit a fierce right-foot blast past Woodman.

North End boss Ryan Lowe chased the game with two double substitutions but Stoke chalked up their second successive win. Neil said: “That was a great performance.

“We didn’t want a damp squib in front of 3,000 travelling fans, and these two back-to-back wins reinforce our confidence and belief.

“We overloaded them up front when we could and once Will Smallbone got his goal, we went on with confidence.

“I’m pleased with Will getting his first goal, and with Tyrese’s performance and goal.”

Lowe complained that a penalty was not awarded when Phil Jagielka seemed to handle, but said: “We were beaten by the better team.”

PRESTON: Woodman 6; Storey 7, Diaby 5 (Evans (82) 4), Hughes 6; Browne 6 (Potts (71) 5), McCann 5, Whiteman 6, Fernandez 7; Brady 6 (Woodburn (71) 5), Maguire 6 (Cross-Adair (82) 4), Riis 6 STOKE: Bursik 6; Sterling 6, Wilmott 6, Jagielka 7, Fox 6; Laurent 6 , Smallbone 8 (Clucas (75) 5), Baker 6; Campbell 7 (Delap (80) 5), Fosu 5, Gayle 6

STAR MAN: Will Smallbone – A masterly midfield display and breakthrough goal. REF: Matt Donohue 6