Preston North End 1-2 Blackburn Rovers: Andri Gudjohnsen Heads Winner

Rovers soaked up early Preston pressure and goalkeeper Aynsley Pears denied Lewis Dobbin when he parried the North End midfielder’s left-footed effort.

Pears rescued Rovers again when he saved Michael Smith’s shot with his left hand at full stretch and debutant George Pratt, recalled on loan from National League North side Chorley on the eve of the game, made a crucial block from the rebound.

From there, Blackburn cranked up the pressure and North End keeper Daniel Iversen saved from both Sean McLoughlin and Ryoya Morishita before the visitors took the lead on 45 minutes.

Ryan Hedges swung over a corner for Australian Miller to head home from inside the six-yard box.

But Blackburn went to sleep after their hard work to allow Preston to equalise almost immediately in first-half stoppage time.

Dobbin touched the ball on for on-loan Tottenham midfielder Devine to squeeze his shot home, despite Rovers’ desperate attempts to hack it clear.

After the break, Iversen saved Yuki Ohashi’s shot before Gudjohnsen – son of former Chelsea and Bolton striker Eidur – restored Rovers’ lead on 62 minutes.

Morishita sent over a free-kick to the back post, where Gudjohnsen headed home from close range.

Preston faded badly, failing to summon a real chance of an equaliser, and Iversen made a key save to prevent a Blackburn third, touching away Morishita’s angled drive for a corner before the Japan winger flashed another effort across goal and wide.

‘We showed all the faces you need’ – reaction

Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom:

“It’s a tough one. Sometimes you come off having given your best and really pleased with how you played and hold your hands up, but I think that one is on us.

“You’re on top and you miss your chances then you give two set-play goals away. You’re going to have to do something special to win the game so we’re disappointed with those two elements.

“We were wasteful in the first 30 minutes when we were on top. They had a good five minutes before they scored but no chances, so for us to concede from a set-play is disappointing.

“We wanted to start the second half the way we started the first, but I didn’t really think we did. We made the changes, but then conceded the set-play straight away so it puts you on the back foot. It was a difficult night.”

Source: BBC