Goals from Billy Jones and Ross Wallace gave Preston victory over Watford.

Jay DeMerit headed against the bar as Watford dominated early on but Preston took the lead when Jones reacted first after Richard Lee's fine reaction save.

Preston almost doubled their lead when Wallace cut in from the right and drilled a low shot against the post.

But Wallace was not to be denied and he was gifted his first goal for Preston when Lee allowed his bobbling 25-yard drive to bounce over the line.

Preston boss Alan Irvine:

"The half-time talk was all about settling down and saying 'if you are a little bit nervous, concentrate on the simple things'.

"I felt we tried some needlessly intricate things in the opening half when there were easier options on."

He added: "Wayne Brown was a calming influence. He was always in control."

"I thought we played very well in the opening stages and were unlucky not to have scored early on.

"We had one come back off the bar and one cleared off the line. But you have make the most of it and take your chances when you have the momentum.

"We were surprised to go in at the break 1-0 down and never really recovered after the interval."

Goals: Jones 43, Wallace 68.

Watford: Lee, Doyley (Ainsworth 79), DeMerit, Ward, Sadler, Smith, O'Toole, Eustace (Williamson 79), Harley (McAnuff 71), Rasiak, Hoskins.
Subs Not Used: Tyler, Mariappa.

Att: 11,234

Ref: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version