WE deliver our player ratings for Saturday’s derby defeat to the Lilywhites.
Jason Steele 6
Made a smart save from Alan Browne in the lead up to the penalty and could do little about Jordan Hugill’s close-range winner.
Ben Marshall 7
The right-back, more than any other Rovers player, took the fight to Preston after the sending off that changed the game.
Shane Duffy 4
The stand-in skipper’s decision to clear Joe Garner’s goal-bound shot off the line with his hand ultimately cost his team dear.
Elliott Ward 7*
Took his first goal for the club superbly and, along with impressive substitute Matt Kilgallon, did everything to keep Preston at bay.
Tommy Spurr 7
Like Marshall on the opposite the left-back put in a real shift up and down the line and made a last-ditch challenge on Calum Woods.
Darragh Lenihan 6
Was the one midfielder who got about Preston after Duffy’s dismissal before dropping into the back three in the second half.
Hope Akpan 5
Headed against the bar before Ward scored but did not make an impact before being replaced by the more effective Chris Brown.
Jordi Gomez 5
Started brightly and played a raking late pass through to Danny Graham but was outshone by fellow playmaker Paul Gallagher.
Elliott Bennett 6
Set-up an early chance for Tony Watt and swung over the corner from which Ward eventually scored but that quality of delivery did not continue.
Tony Watt 6
Hurt his groin when seeing a shot blocked and was replaced by Simeon Jackson, the substitute who was substituted after Duffy walked.
Danny Graham 6
Seemed to lose his way after being denied a foul in the lead up to Preston’s equaliser but did go close to levelling late on.
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