DON'T be fooled by the scoreline, if this had been a boxing match, the referee would have stopped it at half time to save Bristol City from further punishment, writes Tom Parker.

Full time: (PNE 1 BRISTOL CITY 0)

North End, playing some lovely carpet football, ran City ragged in the opening half and could have easily gone in four goals up at the interval.

As it was they produced just one in 90 minutes and, amazingly, the goal they did score was a brilliant effort from what was no more than half a chance.

On 37 minutes, with the chances not yet being taken, Lee Cartwright played the ball from the halfway line up towards the right hand corner of the box. Alex Mathie got control but was tracked all the way by Louis Carey and the Preston striker looked for support.

Then, with his back to goal, he feinted to go left and then swivelled and hit the ball all in the same movement and the ball crashed past Steve Phillips into the corner of the net to send Deepdale fans dancing in the rain.

That was the goal that settled the match andthe rest of the it amounted to a complete catalogue of chances that should have led to more goals. Not a greatr game - but more points in the bag!

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