DESPONDENT Baggies boss Gary Megson said after the 3-0 defeat that it was a fair result.

"It was shambolic, right the way through the team," said Megson. "It seemed as if we felt we just had to turn up to get a result.

"I can't remember us winning a tackle or a header. We didn't do anything at all well.

"Preston did everything better than we did, without exception.

"We were slow, as if we had not got a care in the world, shocking."

And he admitted that striker Lee Hughes was feeling the pressure of events off the field at the moment.

Hughes has been charged by police in the Midlands of causing death by dangerous driving.

He was taunted throughout the game by Preston fans about the charge - although he was due a rough reception anway after getting Jonathan Gould sent off in August.

Megson said: "It seems to a lot harder fo rhim away from home, but that's not to make any excuse."