PRESTON 0 BOURNEMOUTH 1

PRESTON dropped to eleventh place in the Division Two after losing a match in which they had opportunities to win it, but just didn't put them away.

Preston opened up confidently with Holt and Ashcroft developing an early understanding and Bournemouth relied on central defender Ian Cox getting in some very good tackles and headed clearances to keep Preston out.

North End came forward with a neat passing movement and Holt set up Ashcroft for a blistering shot at goal which Glass could only block and as the ball came back to Holt he shot over the bar.

Bournemouth had much defending to do, but broke from defence and won a free-kick 30 yards out.

Preston put a white wall of defenders in front of the ball, but Robinson's low shot dissected it and Lucas in the North End goal kept it out at full stretch. Then on the half hour surely one of the worst misses ever at Deepdale. As attackers and defenders scrambled for the ball in the Bournemouth box it was deflected into the path of Holt in front of an empty net.

The Preston fans rose to greet the opener, but Holt side-footed the ball inches wide of the post and the groan which greeted it was deafening.

That apart, Holt played well, he held the ball up and has a natural ability to turn defenders and looks to be one for the future.

Preston came at Bournemouth in the second half, penning the visitors in their own half.

Holt set up a chance for Ashcroft but he didn't hit the target. Wave after wave of attacks came in on goal and Bournemouth keeper Glass was having a nightmare trying to deal with crosses. He made a complete mess of a back-pass but recovered before Ashcroft could pounce on the loose ball.

Then, disaster for North End as Bournemouth hit them on the break. The ball was played into the area, Preston defenders hesitated, Warren didn't, and his low shot trickled into the net off the inside of the post.

Preston threw everything into attack in a desperate bid to get a point, forcing five consecutive corners.

Barrick went close, as did Ashcroft, but always that man Cox in the Bournemouth defence stood firm.

It was Preston's first home defeat of the season and some of the crowd had left long before the final whistle, not happy with what they saw.

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