Preston North End 2-1 QPR

Billy Davis' Preston North End side came away with all three points from Deepdale in front of a poor 10,500 crowd. This was the lowest attendance at Deepdale for 6 years, being a night fixture and bad weather didn't help the situation.

PNE didn't get off to a good start, when they conceided a corner in the eight minute. The corner was hit to the far post where former Ipswich Town center half George Santos headed home, unmarked from 2 yards. Paul McKenna who was stood on the goal line had no chance to clear the ball.

PNE needed to make a quick response, they got that immediately through want away striker David Healy. The goal came from a ball that was hit up field, when Santos failed to clear the ball as Healy ran from behind to slot the ball past QPR keeper Chris Day.

Midway through the first half, Preston No.1 Andrew Lonergan collided with Paul Furlong and landed badly on his right hand, he did just about enough to put the QPR striker off, as the ball came crashing off the cross bar. From the resulting incident, Lonergan had to be subbed off as he could no longer continue. Gavin ward came on took take position as goalkeeper.

The second half started as Preston North End looked to take the lead. North End's best chance of the half fell to captain Chris Lucketti, good work from Cresswell, resulted in Eddie Lewis being able to get a good cross in, which landed straight to Lucketti. He should of scored, he placed his header straight at the keeper.

PNE should of taken the lead, when Cresswell was brought down in the box, the ball deflected and fell to Lewis, who smashed the ball in the net. Much to PNE's dismay, Ref Andy Hall pointed to the spot. David Healy stepped up to take the pen, but it was hit right down the middle, which was saved with ease by Chris Day.

The North End faithful were booing the ref and singing " Your not fit to referee". Two minutes later, PNE were awarded another pen, as a QPR defender seemed to handle the ball in the box. This time Richard Cresswell stepped up, and smashed the ball in the net.

The game was getting high tempered at this point, as a massive brawl broke out between the two sides. Eddie Lewis was fouled by Mark Bircham, as both sets of players jumped into the mass brawl. Two QPR players got booked, and Eddie Lewis also was yellow carded.

PNE held on in the end, and took all three points, to climb upto 15th in the Championship table.

PNEfans.net MOTM = Youl Mawene - Solid Defender