PRESTON NORTH END 1 Hugill (22) READING 0

JORDAN HUGILL’S first-half strike was enough to earn Preston their second win of the season as Reading fell 1-0 at Deepdale.

Alex Neil’s side missed a catalogue of chances to build on that lead but were never seriously tested by the Royals.

The hosts came close to opening the scoring after eight minutes when Josh Harrop’s corner was flicked on at the near post and came to centre-back Ben Davies, who guided a volley just over from 12 yards out.

And they nearly took the lead again two minutes later when Ben Pearson surged through the heart of the Reading defence and poked a shot at goal only to be denied by a smart save from Vito Mannone.

Preston deservedly took the lead after 22 minutes. Tom Barkhuizen’s cross from the left was brilliantly attacked by Sean Maguire, whose header put it on a plate for Hugill to control and slam home.

Substitute Joseph Mendes had the Royals’ first chance within a minute of his arrival.

He met Pelle Clement’s free-kick after 35 minutes but his header was well held by Chris Maxwell.

On the stroke of halftime, Preston should have doubled their lead but Mannone parried Maguire’s strike before Barkhuizen curled over from 18 yards.

Barkhuizen threatened again shortly after the break, picking the ball up 20 yards out and firing low to Mannone’s right, but the keeper pushed it wide.

Jaap Stam’s side were struggling to hang on as Maguire and Daniel Johnson were both denied by some last-ditch defending.

Reading pushed in the closing stages but they failed to force a save from Maxwell as Preston secured back-toback home wins.