Tom Parker reports from Boundary Park at the away game against Oldham Athletic.

The Preston North End away hoodoo continued in this Lancashire Derby as Preston failed to put away any of the few chances that came the way of the Deepdale side.

North End have but a single point from trips to Gillingham, Chesterfield and now Oldham, and this is an aspect of their game that has to be put right.

Against Oldham, it all started so brightly as Preston came at the home side and David Reeves almost put North End ahead.

He burst into the box from the left. Oldham were stretched at the back and from 12 yards he unleashed a terrific shot which had 'goal' written all over it until Mike Holly made a fine save at full stretch. He beat the ball out and it came back to Reeves but he shot over the crossbar. How different it could have been had the ball gone in.

As it was, it lifted Oldham. They became more positive and settled down to trouble the Preston back four.

They played a Royal Air Force style of football with the ball spending more time in the air than the Red Arrows. The ploy was to get the ball up to Sean McCarthy and Stuart Barlow quickly.

For the most part, Jackson and Gregan did a fine containing job. Oldham created few chances.

McCarthy got clear on the left of goal but Moilanen kept his effort out. Steve Redmond shot wide from the edge of the box and Moilanen made an excellent reflex save to claw Barlow's shot out of the top corner.

Level at half time, Preston looked to have at least the chance of returning with a point as they came at the home side with some purpose.

Gary Parkinson floated in a high cross from the right, Lee Ashcroft met it with his head and the ball was going into the top corner until Hollit produced a magnificent save to turn the ball for a corner. As with the earlier save from Reeves, Oldham came back strongly. McCarthy started to impress and Tommy Wright caused problems down the left.

Then it all went wrong for Preston. A long ball was played into the box. Gregan got a touch and the ball bobbled across the six-yard box to the unmarked Tommy Wright and, in a flash, the ball was in the North End net.

Preston battled on as Oldham shut up shop but Sinnott and Garnett were impressive in the back four, and always that man Hollit in goal gave encouragement.

Moilanen in the Preston goal was clearly man of the match and he is a far better keeper this season than we have seen him before. His confidence in not only coming for crosses but catching the ball and then setting up attacks is a vast improvement in his game.

Preston now meet Walsall at Deepdale on Saturday when, at home, they will be tipped to win and few would argue with that. But it is away from Deepdale that the points have to be gathered in if North End are able to stay with the early season pace setters. One point from a possible nine isn't good enough, even allowing for the quality of the opposition, and the problem must be overcome soon.

Once again, Gary Peters was disappointed that Preston failed to pick up an away point. He said: "We didn't create enough chances. We worked very hard and let in a poor goal. You can't do that against teams like Oldham.

"So far, we have played three good teams away from home. We haven't won any but the tide will turn.

"We showed plenty of commitment. We will continue to improve, to be a better team as the season goes on. We work hard on the training ground and it will come right. We matched them tonight and I am disappointed that we didn't get something for the big support we had here.

"Oldham are a different side to play against. They put you under pressure and you don't get many chances but a lapse of concentration cost us the match."

Assistant manager David Moyes agreed and said: "The goal was a bitter blow and we paid the penalty." Moyes was full of praise for Tepi Moilanen. He said: "He is playing well, with real confidence, and the men in front of him have confidence in him. He played well tonight."

So an early spot check of Preston's form so far.

Well, at Deepdale they are fine. Few teams in the division will expect to get much against North End at Fortress Deepdale.

Away from home it's a different matter. It's not easy to pinpoint as Preston have played with a steel and commitment that wasn't there last season. The players can't try any harder. They are giving their all.

Yes, we had the ten-minute nightmare at Chesterfield which was chaotic and cost the match but at Gillingham and Oldham they could have had better luck. But the luck will come and so will the away points.

Perhaps a little more concentration, no defensive lapses and the creation of more chances is to come. If it happens, Preston North End won't be far away.

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