BRISTOL CITY 2 PNE 1 - report from October 21

AN amazing penalty decision by the referee denied North End the point they so richly deserved.

With the score locked at 0-0, Bristol City were awarded a free kick just outside the box.

Preston put up a blue wall of defenders and Mickey Bell's kick looked as if it had gone over the crossbar.

The referee ruled that Michael Appleton had handled the ball and pointed to the spot and the official was immediately surrounded by protesting North End players.

Moyles and Reeves were booked and when order was restored, up stepped Bell to crash the spot-kick wide of Moilanen to open the score. Preston hit back almost immediately as Lee Cartwright held off the dual challenge of Tinnion and Bell and sent in a cross looking for Ashcroft at the far post, but Dyche and Welch got into a tangle and Dyche turned the ball into his own net.

Preston took control of midfield with Mark Rankine having another fine match, David Moyes put in an excellent performance at the back and Moilanen was equal to anything City could throw at him. Preston, looking comfortable for at least a point, went in search of a winner and they forced a series of corners as City looked rocky.

With time running out and much of the home support already on the way home, Bristol City snatched the winner with a goal of individual class.

Gregory Goodridge looked to be hemmed in by the corner flag, but he neatly beat Kidd as he cut inside into the box and with everyone expecting him to cross, he lashed the ball with unstoppable power from a narrow angle to score a goal of pure quality.

North End had no time to respond again and the point which looked to be there for the taking stayed with the other two - in the West Country.

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