North End flatten Ipswich
1-2 
Alan Irvine's Preston North End got off to an absoulte flying start to the 2008/09 Championship campaign. North End, playing in their new yellow away strip got off to an awful start, conceading a goal after 78 seconds. There was a big mix up at the back, between St Ledger and Lonergan, which gave Kevin Lisbie an easy goal.
Ipswich's goal fired North End into action. Preston started to dominate the match, having all the good play whilst Ipswich looked to attack on the break. North End pulled level after 25 minutes, Chris Sedgwick picked the ball up on the left flank. Sedgwick cut inside, then laid the ball off to McKenna, who riffled a 25 yard bullet past Richard Wright.
North End took the lead in the 34th minute, McKenna again involved in the action. The all action midfielder played Billy Jones in behind the Ipswich defence, Jones drilled his cross in that found Simon Whaley, who duely smashed the ball home from five yards. North End rode the remainder of the half out. Irvine went 4-5-1 in the second half to shut shop and keep Ipswich at bay, which worked as the three points went back to Deepdale!
Ipswich: Richard Wright, Smith, Balkestein, David Wright, McAuley, Garvan, Haynes (Rhodes 74), Quinn (Miller 46), Shumulikoski, Counago (Lee 63), Lisbie.
Subs Not Used: Supple, Bruce.
Goals: Lisbie 2.
Preston: Lonergan, St. Ledger, Mawene, Davidson, Chaplow, Sedgwick, Nicholson, Whaley, McKenna, Jones, Mellor (Hawley 80).
Subs Not Used: Chris Neal, Hart, Carter, Wallace.
Booked: Mellor.
Goals: McKenna 21, Whaley 34.
Att: 22,307.
Ref: Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire).
PNEfans.net man of the match - Richard Chaplow