PRESTON boss Gary Peters said: "It was a frustrating performance as they put ten men behind the ball and it was always difficult for us to break them down."

He added that the Walsall manager had "apologised for the way they played but they had to do that because the results hadn't gone for them."

Asked about Macken's effort which the keeper saved brilliantly he said: "Had that gone in then it might have been different. We camped out in their half in the second half but they played a tight in defence and we couldn't break them down."

"We didn't take the chances we had and I brought on Ashle and Macken to add more variety."

Asked if he had to pick the side up for the Coca Cola clash with Blackburn he said: "I don't think so, nobody needs picking up for a match like that and we are looking forward to Wednesday."

He said that "he could understand the reaction of the crowd. It was frustrating for them but we were the better side on the day."

Preston have now played seven matches, they are in seventh place and seven points behind the leaders Watford. And after Tuesday night's disappointment, with important away matches coming up against Burnley and Wycombe, they must improve their points haul away from Deepdale. North End are playing well away from Deepdale but lapses of concentration are proving very costly

Tom Parker comments: "With their 0-0 draw at Walsall on Saturday, North End have now played seven matches, they are in seventh place and seven points behind the leaders Watford.

With important away matches coming up against Burnley and Wycombe they must improve their points haul away from Deepdale. North End are playing well away from Deepdale but lapses of concentration are proving costly as was only too clearly demonstrated at Chesterfield and Oldham.

Preston boss Gary Peters said after the Walsall game: "It was a frustrating performance as they put ten men behind the ball and it was always difficult for us to break them down."

Asked about Macken's effort, which the keeper saved brilliantly, he said: "Had that gone in then it might have been different. We camped out in their half in the second half but they played it tight in defence and we couldn't break them down."

"We didn't take the chances we had and I brought on Ashie and Macken to add more variety."

And with Coca Cola Cup honours surely next year's dream - one message must be: 'Let's take those chances'."

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