Irvine replaced Paul Simpson as Preston manager in November 2007

Preston manager Alan Irvine has challenged his players to end a run of three straight defeats against Watford.

The defeat by Swansea was their first league loss at Deepdale on a Tuesday since February 2001, a run of 33 games.

"We had a very good start, but now we've got to come back from three defeats in a row," Irvine told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"It's something I didn't envisage happening and it's now how we respond to it."

And it is a run which Irvine is keen to see end quickly.

"We can curl up and roll over or we can come back fighting. And I'm certainly planning on us coming back fighting.

"I will decide what I'm going to do over the next couple of days and what approach I have to have."