FOOTBALL

AIDY LEFT CURSING LUCK

Boothroyd's side are languishing in 19th place

Wednesday October 29,2008

Aidy Boothroyd’s Watford were left languishing in 19th place and hovering just two points above the relegation zone after this 2-0 defeat.

Strikes from Billy Jones and Ross Wallace either side of half-time earned Preston just their second win in eight Championship outings.

Watford enjoyed most of the possession in the opening stages and were unfortunate not to have taken the lead as Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan flapped at Tommy Smith’s corner and Jay DeMerit’s towering header cannoned back off the bar only to rebound to safety.

A goalmouth scramble ensued and North End full-back Jay McEveley was forced to bundle the ball off the line and to safety in the 18th minute.

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Boothroyd’s side, though, were made to pay as Preston grew in confidence.

“We played very well in the opening stages and were unlucky not to have scored early on,” said Boothroyd. “We had one come back off the bar and one cleared off the line.

“But in this game you have to make the most of it and take your chances when you have the momentum.

“But they began to play and the crowd got on our backs.

“We were surprised to go in at the break 1-0 down and never really recovered.”

Victory for Preston lifts them to 11th in the Championship standings and to within two points of the play-off places. And manager Alan Irvine insisted his side can go on to challenge for promotion.

“The half-time talk was all about settling down and saying, ‘If you are a little nervous, concentrate on the simple things’,” said Irvine.

“We tried some needlessly intricate things in the opening half when there were easier options on.”

He praised Hull defender Wayne Brown, 31, who has arrived on an initial one-month loan deal. “He was a very calming influence,” said Irvine.

PRESTON 2
WATFORD 0

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