Fourth loss on the trot for PNE
2-1
Watford condemned North End to their fourth defeat in the trot. Alan Irvine made a few changes after the home defeat to Swansea, Ross Wallace making his first start in the league on the left with Nicholson sitting into centre midfield.
Preston started well, putting Watford under some early pressure. That pressure paid off when St Ledger found himself unmarked inside the 18 yard box. The defender had time to pick his spot and curl home his shot to give the Lilywhites the lead.
The lead only lasted seven minutes as Watford reversed the pressure onto PNE. It was former Burnley player Jon Harley who popped up with the equaliser. It came through poor defending right down the middle, Mawene got caught napping at the back.
Watford turned the screw again, another ball played down the middle put Tommy Smith in on goal. Smith who always seems to score against North End did so yet again. Smith got a lucky bounce off Lonergan who made a good save originally, to tap the ball in.
North End had a twenty minute spell in the second half, with substitute Stephen Elliott creating two good chances but failing to force Lee in the Watford goal to make a save. Preston was huffing and puffing, Chris Brown and Neil Mellor didn't get any change out of Darren Ward, Mellor who was very poor was subbed at half time.
Things aren't looking good at the moment, now with the international break maybe Irvine can sit down and look at where it's all gone wrong, in time for a tough encounter on the 18th against high-flyers Reading.
Watford: Lee, Sadler, DeMerit (Bromby 89), Ward, Mariappa, Williamson, Harley, O'Toole, Priskin (Henderson 79), Smith, Hoskins (Bangura 87).
Subs Not Used: Tyler, Ainsworth.
Goals: Harley 12, Smith 21.
Preston: Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, St. Ledger, McEveley, Sedgwick, Nicholson (Parkin 86), McKenna (Jarrett 73), Wallace, Brown, Mellor (Elliott 46).
Subs Not Used: Chris Neal, Carter.
Booked: St. Ledger, Brown.
Goals: St. Ledger 5.
Att: 14,087
Ref: Kevin Wright (Cambridgeshire).