OLDHAM paraded new striker Junior Agogo for an impressive debut but it was go, go, go Preston North End as the Deepdale side took the points on the opening day of the season.
Encouraged by a huge travelling army of support, North End, pictured sporting their new squad numbers, brought the game to Oldham and three times in the opening exchanges Preston had chances to take the lead.
Gary Kelly's inspirational save on Preston's third attempt at goal inspired Oldham and they took control of midfield at that stage of the match.
Scott McNiven raced down the right and sent over a cross of perfection which left Agogo completely unmarked at the back post.
As he rose high to meet the ball the Oldham supporters were on their feet ready to cheer but, although he got pace into his header, the ball smashed against the post and came back into play with Lucas well beaten.
In the second half Michael Jackson and Colin Murdock got a stranglehold on Agogo and Mark Allott, almost totally restricting their attacking qualities and Mark Rankine and Gregan snuffed out midfield. North End were more positive, Rankine had space in the box to hit in a shot which was going into the corner of the net until Sean Garnett got across to get his body in the way.
Preston's pressure just had to produce a goal and on 66 minutes it arrived.
Jon Macken made a run at the left corner of the box and he got a fortunate rebound before doing a neat one-two with Nogan and then going neatly around the keeper before slipping the ball into the empty net to the sheer delight of the North End's supporters.
Oldham rallied, looking for an equaliser and Murdock made an important headed clearance from Agogo's searching cross and then Agogo wasn't far away with a fierce drive from eight yards.
With seven minutes remaining, Allott had an excellent chance to level matters 12 yards out with a clear sight of goal, but his effort was a foot over the crossbar and North End survived.
Preston closed the game down at this point it heralded the start of "Can't help falling in love with you" from the Deepdale fans and the roar which greeted the final whistle was deafening.
DAVID Moyes said: "I thought that we were poor in the first half and was happy to come in level at half-time. Mark Rankine had a great game, particularly in the second half when he took the game by the scruff of the neck. He almost scored for us before Jon Macken's goal." On the Macken goal which won the match: "I thought that he took the goal wonderfully well, a really good finish." On the second half performance: "I was happier with how the second half went, we took steady control and we got marginally better. We got the points and I will take that."
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