WATFORD 3 NORTH END 1

IT was all so familiar, North End created chances but failed to put them away.

So David Moyes, in his first league fixture as Preston manager, travelled back without priceless points.

Preston had a fine early chance when Mark Rankine went clear but chose to shoot first time - and well wide.

That proved costly, Watford settled down and went ahead on 17 minutes when Rob Page's free kick found Peter Kennedy who put the ball beyond Lucas.

Just before the half hour Watford scored a goal of real quality knocking the ball around the park, leaving North End in total confusion.

Kennedy's majestic cross was touched on by Lee and there was Micah Hyde to steer the ball wide of Lucas and it looked all over.

But back came Preston. Nogan was sent clear and looked a scorer, but he seemed to get the ball tied up in his boots and the chance went begging.

He then turned provider with a neat flick that sent Lormor through with only Chamberlain to beat, but the striker shot tamely, straight at the keeper.

Still North End battled and in a goalmouth skirmish looked to have got a goal back but Page cleared.

Moyes stuck to his starting line-up and was rewarded early in the second half with a goal that Gary Parkinson will remember for a long time.

From a free kick 35 yards out the North End full back hit a thunderous shot that beat the defenders and scorched into the top of the net.

But from defending at one end, Watford went down to the other and clinched the points.

Gibbs played a neat ball into the box and Kennedy controlled and hit the ball all in the same movement and Lucas was beaten.

Preston raised their game, Nogan was sent clear but as he was about to shoot the ball took a bobble and bounced away - and with it all hopes of a Preston revival.

Some poor defending, almost schoolboy errors, have cost North End dearly. Add the inability to put away chances and you have the reason why they are battling against the drop rather than the play-offs.

David Moyes some good players and excellent supporters who want Preston to succeed and he will bring in Sean Gregan after suspension to play at the back in the match against Chesterfield at Deepdale on Saturday January 24.

It's a match Preston must win for their play-off hopes.

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