PRESTON NORTH END slipped to their second successive defeat to a resurgent Rotherham.
After losing precious ground to the leading pack last Sunday in the home defeat to Burnley, North End were looking to bounce straight back with a win over their Yorkshire counterparts.
This current set-back now leaves North End in ninth place, three places below the play-off berths. However with the unpredictable nature of the league being epitomised once more over the weekend, Crystal Palace losing to Watford and Birmingham falling to Wolves, North End can reassert their promotion credentials with a successful Christmas and New Year.
North End were undone as early as the third minute when Martin McIntosh was left unmarked to sweep the ball past David Lucas. Rotherham continued to prey on North End's vulnerability at set-pieces as both Chris Sedgwick and Richie Barker hit posts during the first half.
The visitors, obviously still reeling from a half-time blast by David Moyes, set about finding an equalising goal. And despite the mounting pressure, Rotherham managed to preserve their slender lead through a combination of resolute defending and some good fortune.
With an already thread-bare squad at his disposal, Moyes quickly introduced Steve Basham and youngster Michael Keane into the fray.
But Rotherham refused to buckle and they nearly extended their lead themselves when both Paul Warne and Mark Robins went close late on.
Rotherham's Mark Robins said: "We're learning how to protect a lead and if we can carry on like this we will stay up."
North End's David Healy, who worked tirelessly at Millmoor, was disappointed not to come away with at least a point from South Yorkshire.
"Coming off the back of the back of the defeat last week - where we didn't deserve to lose - we wanted to get something and going into the last 25 minutes I think we were playing about eight upfront but it just didn't seem to bounce for us or go our way," said Healy.
"We didn't play well in the first half and didn't perform, but we will try and take the positives out of the game.
"Everybody's disappointed right now, but there's a big game next week against Grimsby and hopefully we can take the three points and get back on track before Christmas."
Next up for Preston are second-bottom Grimsby who after a promising start have faltered significantly.
If North End are to have a happy Christmas then they must start by taking three points from the Mariners at Deepdale on Saturday.
RESULT: ROTHERHAM...1 PRESTON NE...0
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