PRESTON wrapped up their opening half of the season with a comfortable victory over bottom placed Macclesfield, writes Richard Sullivan.

Despite missing four first-team regulars, through injury or work commitments, the league leaders scored a goal in each half to extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points.

And following the game, they were greeted with the news that closest rivals Bolton were beaten 3-1 at Northop Hall.

However the fortunes of other teams will not alter Preston's approach in the second half of the season as one of the secrets of their success thus far has been their positive mental approach. Allied to this has been their psychological preparation to each game and in essence treating each one in its own entity. Head coach Colin Sinclair said: "We've stressed the importance of concentrating on our gameplan and not worrying about what the opposition can do."

Sinclair clearly practices what he preaches. The venerable 45-year-old, due to the absentees, was forced to don the playing attire and took up his favoured centre forward position once more.

And the Lancashire veteran, who will feature in the annual Boxing Day fixture against Cheshire this year, led a rookie forward line - containing 14-year-old Phil Rowlands and debutant Simon Crowe - with all his customary skill and savvy.

Preston took the lead shortly before half-time when Phil Bowman, who had a superb game at inside-left, gathered up a rebound from a Richard Sullivan strike to flick the ball high into the goal.

After the interval the home side enjoyed some sustained periods of possession but as soon as they approached the Preston goal, they either lacked the requisite control or were quickly dispossessed by the defensive trio of the Sullivan brothers and Ian Brown.

With this defensive blanket suffocating the Macclesfield forward line, Jimmy Blackburn began to combine well with his midfield partner Mark Fletcher and went close on two occasions to extending Preston's lead.

His first effort was well parried by the goalkeeper, the second beat the dive of the keeper but not the post. Still Preston pressed forward in search of more goals and eventually they were rewarded. Skipper Nick Sutcliffe's powerful run was ended illegally in the D and a short corner was then correctly awarded.

And from the resultant set-piece, Sullivan flicked the ball to the outside of left post where Fletcher carefully guided the ball home from close range.

Macclesfield 0 Preston 2