NIK Michopoulos made an impressive return to the starting line-up against Preston last night, keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 derby win.

His display delighted manager Stan Ternent but while he praised the Greek international he had a go at the "morons" who had been getting on the back of the man he replaced, Marlon Beresford.

"Nik made two cracking saves and he was very calm," said Ternent. "It is always difficult to change and Bezzer is a good keeper but he is having a difficult time.

"I felt the crowd were totally unfair to him, having a laugh at a player's expense. If they do that a keeper's confidence will be affected but it was only a few morons."

Preston boss Craig Brown was also quick to praise the efforts of Michopoulos for the two saves that kept out first Richard Cresswell and then Graham Alexander.

Having let in seven goals three days earlier and started the night with the joint worst defensive record in the first division, keeping a clean sheet was the rock on which the victory was built.

Michopoulos will be confident he has done enough to keep the goalie's shirt for the trip to Norwich City on Saturday.