Paul Hayes's first-half winner breathed new life into Preston's campaign as the hosts secured their first points of the season with a victory over Portsmouth.
The summer signing struck with less than 20 minutes on the clock, sweeping home Billy Jones' cross in fine style.
And it could have been more comfortable for the hosts had Hayes not directed a volley wide and Pompey keeper Jamie Ashdown twice denied Josh King.
But in the end Pompey created little in response as they limped to defeat.
On this evidence it looks like being a long, hard season for the south-coast side, who now have just one point from their opening three league ties.
Steve Cotterill's side start was encouraging enough, David Nugent firing over from range and Michael Brown going close with his own snap-shot.
But, a late Carl Dickinson effort that was blocked aside, Portsmouth were rarely in the game as Preston ran out deserved winners to leapfrog their opponents at the wrong end of the Championship table.
North End were settled nicely by Hayes's clinical early finish, and then grew in confidence as the match progressed.
Young striker King, 18, forced Ashdown into a smart stop from inside the penalty area before the Pompey keeper produced an even better stop late in the piece from the Manchester United loanee.
Ashdown was also alert to keep out a Matty James shot, while Keith Treacy went close in stoppage time as Preston ran out comfortable winners.
Live text and stats
Saturday, 21 August 2010
Npower Championship
Home Team
Score
Away Team
Time
Preston
1-0
Portsmouth
FT
(HT 1-0)
Hayes 18
Preston
01 Lonergan
02 Morgan
03 Davidson
04 St. Ledger
19 Jones
06 James
07 Coutts yellow card
11 Treacy yellow card
14 Mayor (Gray 89)
08 Hayes (Brown 84)
18 King
Substitutes
25 Arestidou,
12 Gray,
37 McLaughlin,
15 Barton,
20 Russell,
09 Brown,
26 Parkin
Portsmouth
01 Ashdown
03 Dickinson
25 Sonko
04 Mokoena yellow card
06 Wilson yellow card
08 Mullins
11 Brown (Ward 71 yellow card)
22 Hughes (Ritchie 62)
24 Ciftci
10 Nugent
21 Smith
Substitutes
31 O'Brien,
20 Ward,
05 Ritchie,
40 Pack
Ref: WebbAtt: 9,666
PRESTON
PORTSMOUTH
Possession
Preston59%
Portsmouth41%
Attempts on target
Preston4
Portsmouth3
Attempts off target
Preston11
Portsmouth13
Corners
Preston10
Portsmouth6
Fouls
Preston9
Portsmouth7
Final Result
95:19 The game gets underway.
Full Time
90:00+4:29 Booking Marc Wilson booked.
90:00+3:36 Paul Coutts fouled by Marc Wilson, the ref awards a free kick. Paul Coutts restarts play with the free kick.
90:00+2:50 Joshua King fouled by Aaron Mokoena, the ref awards a free kick. Keith Treacy restarts play with the free kick.
90:00+2:24 Chris Brown concedes a free kick for a foul on Joel Ward. Direct free kick taken by Jamie Ashdown.
90:00+2:09 Booking The referee cautions Joel Ward for unsporting behaviour.
90:00+1:24 Unfair challenge on Keith Treacy by Joel Ward results in a free kick. Andy Lonergan restarts play with the free kick.
90:00+0:29 Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Keith Treacy.
90:00+0:05 Booking Aaron Mokoena is booked.
90:00 The referee ends the match.
89:48 Keith Treacy takes a shot. Blocked by Ibrahima Sonko.
Correction - 88:29 Substitution Preston substitution: Danny Mayor replaced by David Gray (tactical).
Correction - 88:29 Substitution David Gray is brought on as a substitute for Danny Mayor.
88:29 Substitution Preston substitution: Danny Mayor replaced by David Gray (tactical).
88:29 Goal kick taken by Andy Lonergan (Preston).
88:22 A cross is delivered by David Nugent.
87:49 Marc Wilson challenges Callum Davidson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Callum Davidson.
86:34 Attacking throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
85:44 The official flags Joel Ward offside. Andy Lonergan restarts play with the free kick.
85:19 The ball is swung over by Matt Ritchie, Billy Jones gets a block in.
84:51 Defending throw-in by Ibrahima Sonko (Portsmouth).
84:25 Goal kick taken long by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth).
83:59 Keith Treacy has an effort at goal from outside the area missing to the wide right of the target.
83:45 Defending throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
83:19 Substitution Paul Hayes leaves the field to be replaced by Chris Brown.
82:32 The ball is delivered by Danny Mayor.
81:46 David Nugent is ruled offside. Direct free kick taken by Andy Lonergan.
80:55 Matt Ritchie fouled by Joshua King, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jamie Ashdown.
80:44 Centre by Keith Treacy, Aaron Mokoena manages to make a clearance.
79:11 Goal kick taken long by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth).
79:03 The ball is swung over by Keith Treacy.
78:35 Defending throw-in by Billy Jones (Preston).
78:02 Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones (Preston).
77:58 Defending throw-in by Billy Jones (Preston).
77:25 Tommy Smith fouled by Billy Jones, the ref awards a free kick. Marc Wilson takes the direct free kick.
76:46 Inswinging corner taken by Danny Mayor from the left by-line.
76:35 The ball is swung over by Keith Treacy, clearance by Carl Dickinson.
76:11 Joshua King takes a shot. Save made by Jamie Ashdown.
75:10 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Matt Ritchie from the left by-line, Ibrahima Sonko has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide left of the goal.
74:45 Carl Dickinson takes a shot. Danny Mayor manages to make a clearance.
73:24 Goal kick taken long by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth).
72:58 Defending throw-in by Billy Jones (Preston).
72:05 Danny Mayor sends in a cross, Billy Jones produces a overhead kick right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.
71:33 Goal kick taken long by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth).
70:54 Substitution Joel Ward comes on in place of Michael Brown.
70:39 Joshua King produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the goal.
69:41 Foul by Paul Hayes on Jamie Ashdown, free kick awarded. Jamie Ashdown restarts play with the free kick.
69:07 Corner taken right-footed by Keith Treacy, save by Jamie Ashdown.
68:48 Matthew James takes a shot. Jamie Ashdown makes a save.
67:44 Matt Ritchie crosses the ball, David Nugent takes a shot. Andy Lonergan makes a save.
65:43 Corner taken right-footed by Danny Mayor to the near post, Tommy Smith makes a clearance.
65:31 A cross is delivered by Callum Davidson, blocked by Michael Brown.
65:02 Goal kick taken long by Andy Lonergan (Preston).
64:18 Tommy Smith takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Close range header by David Nugent goes wide of the left-hand post.
63:50 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Carl Dickinson by Keith Treacy. Jamie Ashdown restarts play with the free kick.
63:12 Corner taken by Keith Treacy from the right by-line, Marc Wilson makes a clearance.
63:04 Billy Jones delivers the ball, blocked by Carl Dickinson.
62:37 Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones (Preston).
61:48 Substitution Richard Hughes goes off and Matt Ritchie comes on.
61:06 Goal kick taken long by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth).
59:32 Defending throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
59:16 Defending throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
58:51 Joshua King takes a shot. Save made by Jamie Ashdown.
58:30 Goal kick taken long by Andy Lonergan (Preston).
58:05 Michael Brown has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
57:57 Goal kick taken long by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth).
57:31 Effort on goal by Paul Hayes from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the goal.
56:38 Corner taken left-footed by Keith Treacy from the right by-line to the near post, Jamie Ashdown makes a save.
55:20 Inswinging corner taken by Tommy Smith from the left by-line, save made by Andy Lonergan.
54:41 Free kick awarded for a foul by Paul Hayes on Michael Brown. Hayden Mullins crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right wing, save by Andy Lonergan.
54:31 Defending throw-in by Callum Davidson (Preston).
54:09 Attacking throw-in by Hayden Mullins (Portsmouth).
52:18 Defending throw-in by Ibrahima Sonko (Portsmouth).
51:15 Corner taken short by Michael Brown.
50:16 Aaron Mokoena gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Joshua King. Keith Treacy crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel, Andy Lonergan gets a block in.
50:00 Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones (Preston).
49:49 Defending throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
49:15 Tommy Smith produces a right-footed shot from long range which goes wide right of the goal.
48:06 Unfair challenge on Nadir Ciftci by Matthew James results in a free kick. Centre by Marc Wilson, Ibrahima Sonko takes a shot. Save by Andy Lonergan.
47:37 Unfair challenge on Ibrahima Sonko by Joshua King results in a free kick. Jamie Ashdown takes the direct free kick.
47:22 Attacking throw-in by Callum Davidson (Preston).
46:12 Marc Wilson takes a shot. Save made by Andy Lonergan.
45:31 David Nugent takes a shot. Clearance made by Billy Jones.
45:20 Attacking throw-in by Tommy Smith (Portsmouth).
45:01 The referee starts the second half.
Half Time
45:00+0:50 Shot from outside the penalty box by Matthew James goes wide right of the goal.
45:00 It is the end of the first-half.
43:35 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Keith Treacy by Hayden Mullins. Andy Lonergan takes the free kick.
43:03 Defending throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
42:01 Short corner taken by Nadir Ciftci, clearance made by Danny Mayor.
40:12 Hayden Mullins takes a shot.
39:52 Attacking throw-in by Ibrahima Sonko (Portsmouth).
38:29 Goal kick taken long by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth).
38:13 Attacking throw-in by Callum Davidson (Preston).
37:36 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Danny Mayor from the right by-line to the near post, clearance by Jamie Ashdown.
37:15 Keith Treacy produces a cross, Hayden Mullins gets a block in.
36:27 Goal kick taken long by Andy Lonergan (Preston).
35:54 Tommy Smith sends in a cross, Sean St. Ledger manages to make a clearance.
35:44 Hayden Mullins produces a cross.
34:58 Effort from the edge of the box by Paul Hayes goes wide of the left-hand post.
34:27 Attacking throw-in by Callum Davidson (Preston).
34:18 A cross is delivered by Billy Jones, Ibrahima Sonko makes a clearance.
33:30 Carl Dickinson delivers the ball, Craig Morgan manages to make a clearance.
33:03 The ball is crossed by Callum Davidson, Aaron Mokoena manages to make a clearance.
32:09 Attacking throw-in by Hayden Mullins (Portsmouth).
31:25 Goal kick taken long by Andy Lonergan (Preston).
30:59 Michael Brown has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box which goes wide left of the goal.
30:27 Attacking throw-in by Hayden Mullins (Portsmouth).
29:59 Booking Caution for Keith Treacy.
29:36 Defending throw-in by Hayden Mullins (Portsmouth).
28:59 The ball is crossed by Michael Brown, Andy Lonergan makes a comfortable save.
28:34 Defending throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
27:35 Goal kick taken long by Andy Lonergan (Preston).
27:08 Attacking throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
26:15 David Nugent challenges Sean St. Ledger unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Andy Lonergan.
26:03 Goal kick taken long by Andy Lonergan (Preston).
24:48 Inswinging corner taken by Tommy Smith from the left by-line, Header from close range by Ibrahima Sonko misses to the right of the goal.
23:54 Defending throw-in by Callum Davidson (Preston).
23:24 Defending throw-in by Callum Davidson (Preston).
22:49 The offside flag is raised against Callum Davidson. Free kick taken by Jamie Ashdown.
22:17 Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones (Preston).
21:29 Billy Jones produces a cross, Ibrahima Sonko manages to make a clearance.
20:51 David Nugent takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.
20:33 Defending throw-in by Billy Jones (Preston).
19:58 Nadir Ciftci crosses the ball.
18:01 Defending throw-in by Hayden Mullins (Portsmouth).
17:03 Assist by Billy Jones.
17:03 GOAL - Paul Hayes:Preston 1 - 0 Portsmouth Paul Hayes fires in a goal from close range high into the middle of the goal. Preston 1-0 Portsmouth.
16:44 Billy Jones crosses the ball,
14:39 Corner taken by Keith Treacy from the right by-line, Ibrahima Sonko makes a clearance.
14:11 Goal kick taken long by Andy Lonergan (Preston).
13:46 Marc Wilson has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box which goes wide right of the target.
13:39 Booking The referee cautions Paul Coutts for unsporting behaviour.
12:55 Unfair challenge on Marc Wilson by Paul Coutts results in a free kick. Richard Hughes takes the free kick.
12:32 The ball is sent over by Billy Jones, Hayden Mullins manages to make a clearance.
11:16 Marc Wilson takes a shot. David Nugent gets a block in.
10:05 Marc Wilson takes a shot. Blocked by Paul Coutts.
9:15 Joshua King produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the goal.
8:35 The ball is sent over by Nadir Ciftci.
7:49 Paul Hayes takes a shot. Comfortable save by Jamie Ashdown.
6:55 Goal kick taken long by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth).
6:34 Shot by Paul Coutts from deep inside the penalty area misses wide to the left of the target.
5:52 Keith Treacy takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, Marc Wilson manages to make a clearance.
5:36 A cross is delivered by Keith Treacy, clearance by Carl Dickinson.
4:24 Attacking throw-in by Billy Jones (Preston).
3:38 Short corner worked by Keith Treacy, Ibrahima Sonko manages to make a clearance.
3:24 Attacking throw-in by Keith Treacy (Preston).
2:38 Defending throw-in by Callum Davidson (Preston).
1:51 Goal kick taken long by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth).
1:29 Effort from inside the area by Danny Mayor misses to the right of the goal.
Correction - 0:59 The ball is swung over by Keith Treacy, Ibrahima Sonko gets a block in.
0:59 Cross by Keith Treacy (Preston), blocked by Ibrahima Sonko (Portsmouth).
0:32 Defending throw-in by Hayden Mullins (Portsmouth).
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