SANTA wasn't too kind to North End this Christmas giving them just one point out of a maximum nine in his sack.

But if only the Deepdale outfit could blame Father Christmas. Instead they only have themselves to blame after a trio of poor performances.

Pride was at stake in the first game of the festive season as the lilywhites visited the old enemy - Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

And a first half that is best forgotten proved to be their downfall as they were crushed by the tangerines who were 2-0 up at the break.

North End showed fighting spirit in the second half pushing players up but Michael Holt's late goal wasn't enough to save them from defeat.

Boxing Day saw Preston entertain Oldham with the chance to give the fans something to cheer about.

Another dominant display from new captain Gregan wasn't enough to stop the visitors going ahead when Hodgson nipped in to head past Tepi Moilanen.

North End hit back in the second half and before long Holt levelled the scores after brilliant work from the lively Jonathan Macken.

Both sides pushed hard for the winner but couldn't break down the opposition and had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Two days later Preston hit the roads again when they travelled to the East coast for a blustery battle with Grimsby.

But again they fell apart in the first half going in to the changing rooms 3-0 down after a disastrous display of goalkeeping from Moilanen.

Gregan was pushed up and he came close on several occasions before his spectacular 25-yard free-kick flew into the net.

But again it was only a consolation and the dejected team left the field to a 3-1 defeat and boos from around 800 visiting fans who expect better things in 1998.

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