Live Commentary
The referee brings the game to a close.
- 94mins
Keith Treacy crosses the ball, Chris Brown takes a shot. Save made by Neil Sullivan.
- 93mins
Dean Shiels has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.
- 92mins
James Hayter is ruled offside. Andy Lonergan restarts play with the free kick. Steve Brooker on for James Hayter.
- 90mins
Shot from long distance by Paul Coutts misses to the right of the target.
- 88mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Dean Shiels by Callum Davidson. Direct free kick taken by Dean Shiels. Joshua King sends in a cross, Close range headed effort by Chris Brown goes wide of the left-hand post. (Doncaster) makes a substitution, with Sam Hird coming on for Billy Sharp.
- 87mins
Joshua King takes a shot. Save by Neil Sullivan.
- 85mins
The ball is crossed by David Gray.
- 84mins
Free kick awarded for a foul by Billy Sharp on Billy Jones. Free kick taken by Matthew James.
- 83mins
Shelton Martis gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Chris Brown. Chris Brown restarts play with the free kick.
- 82mins
Dean Shiels gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Joshua King. Free kick taken by David Gray.
- 81mins
The offside flag is raised against Keith Treacy. Free kick taken by Neil Sullivan.
- 81mins
Centre by Brian Stock, save made by Andy Lonergan.
- 80mins
Dean Shiels takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.
- 76mins
Simon Gillett challenges Billy Jones unfairly and gives away a free kick. Simon Gillett is sent off by the referee. Indirect free kick taken by Andy Lonergan.
- 75mins
Keith Treacy takes a shot. Save made by Neil Sullivan.
- 74mins
Danny Mayor is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Neil Sullivan.
- 73mins
Corner taken left-footed by Martin Woods from the left by-line to the near post, Joshua King manages to make a clearance.
- 73mins
The ball is swung over by Billy Sharp, Andy Lonergan makes a save.
- 73mins
The ball is delivered by Brian Stock.
- 72mins
James Coppinger goes off and Dean Shiels comes on.
- 71mins
The ball is crossed by Keith Treacy, Chris Brown has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the target.
- 70mins
Foul by George Friend on Danny Mayor, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed by Danny Mayor, James O'Connor makes a clearance.
- 69mins
Martin Woods gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Matthew James. Free kick taken by Craig Morgan. Paul Hayes goes off and Joshua King comes on.
- 68mins
Callum Davidson is ruled offside. Neil Sullivan takes the indirect free kick.
- 67mins
Paul Coutts fouled by Brian Stock, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Craig Morgan. Brian Stock is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.
- 66mins
George Friend gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Danny Mayor. Paul Coutts restarts play with the free kick.
- 63mins
Unfair challenge on Shelton Martis by Chris Brown results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Neil Sullivan.
- 65mins
The ball is swung over by Simon Gillett, clearance by Craig Morgan.
- 64mins
Corner taken by Danny Mayor from the right by-line.
- 64mins
A cross is delivered by David Gray, Paul Hayes takes a shot. Save made by Neil Sullivan.
- 61mins
Martin Woods is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Andy Lonergan takes the free kick.
- 60mins
The ball is swung over by James Coppinger, Craig Morgan manages to make a clearance.
- 58mins
Corner from left by-line taken by Keith Treacy.
- 58mins
Keith Treacy takes a shot. Blocked by Martin Woods.
- 57mins
The ball is crossed by Callum Davidson, George Friend manages to make a clearance.
- 57mins
The ball is crossed by Keith Treacy, George Friend makes a clearance.
- 56mins
Paul Hayes fouled by Adam Lockwood, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Paul Coutts.
- 56mins
Danny Mayor crosses the ball, save made by Neil Sullivan.
- 56mins
James Coppinger fouled by Chris Brown, the ref awards a free kick. Shelton Martis takes the free kick.
- 55mins
The referee shows Chris Brown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
- 55mins
Chris Brown takes a shot. Save made by Neil Sullivan.
- 54mins
The ball is sent over by James O'Connor, Billy Sharp has an effort at goal from the edge of the box that misses to the right of the target.
- 53mins
Paul Coutts on for Darel Russell.
- 53mins
Brian Stock takes a shot.
- 52mins
Inswinging corner taken by Martin Woods from the right by-line. Corner taken by Martin Woods.
- 51mins
Shot from just outside the box by Billy Sharp misses to the right of the goal.
- 50mins
Simon Gillett takes a shot. Save by Andy Lonergan.
- 48mins
Keith Treacy has an effort at goal from the edge of the box that misses to the right of the target.
- 46mins
Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Martin Woods, clearance made by Paul Hayes.
- 45mins
A cross is delivered by David Gray, clearance by James O'Connor.
The match restarts for the second half.
The match has reached half-time.
- 47mins
The assistant referee signals for offside against Keith Treacy. Indirect free kick taken by Neil Sullivan.
- 46mins
Danny Mayor takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, Adam Lockwood makes a clearance.
- 45mins
The ball is crossed by Simon Gillett, James Hayter has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.
- 45mins
James Coppinger produces a cross, Craig Morgan manages to make a clearance.
- 44mins
George Friend has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the goal.
- 44mins
Centre by James O'Connor, Craig Morgan makes a clearance.
- 43mins
The official flags Chris Brown offside. Neil Sullivan takes the free kick.
- 43mins
Unfair challenge on Keith Treacy by James O'Connor results in a free kick. Andy Lonergan takes the free kick.
- 42mins
Callum Davidson goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour. Caution for Simon Gillett.
- 40mins
A cross is delivered by Chris Brown, James O'Connor makes a clearance.
- 39mins
Shelton Martis challenges Paul Hayes unfairly and gives away a free kick. Shelton Martis goes into the book. Keith Treacy crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from left wing.
- 38mins
Shot by Keith Treacy. Save by Neil Sullivan.
- 37mins
Corner taken by Danny Mayor from the left by-line, clearance made by George Friend.
- 37mins
Paul Hayes has an effort at goal. Blocked by Shelton Martis.
- 35mins
Chris Brown gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Simon Gillett. Brian Stock takes the free kick.
- 33mins
Martin Woods challenges Darel Russell unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Andy Lonergan.
- 30mins
Brian Stock gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Paul Hayes. Free kick taken by Craig Morgan.
- 29mins
Brian Stock fouled by Darel Russell, the ref awards a free kick. Darel Russell booked for unsporting behaviour. Neil Sullivan restarts play with the free kick.
- 29mins
The ball is delivered by David Gray, Brian Stock makes a clearance.
- 27mins
Chris Brown challenges Adam Lockwood unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Adam Lockwood.
- 26mins
Free kick awarded for a foul by James Hayter on Darel Russell. Andy Lonergan takes the free kick.
- 25mins
Callum Davidson sends in a cross, Shelton Martis manages to make a clearance.
- 23mins
The ball is sent over by Paul Hayes, Close range shot by Chris Brown goes over the bar.
- 23mins
The assistant referee signals for offside against James Coppinger. Andy Lonergan takes the indirect free kick.
- 22mins
Callum Davidson concedes a free kick for a foul on James Coppinger. Neil Sullivan takes the direct free kick.
- 22mins
Paul Hayes produces a cross, clearance made by George Friend.
- 21mins
Unfair challenge on George Friend by Danny Mayor results in a free kick. Neil Sullivan takes the direct free kick.
- 20mins
Foul by James O'Connor on Keith Treacy, free kick awarded. Danny Mayor delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, clearance made by Brian Stock.
- 18mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on George Friend by David Gray. David Gray receives a caution for unsporting behaviour. Adam Lockwood takes the free kick.
- 17mins
George Friend delivers the ball, Billy Sharp takes a shot. Save by Andy Lonergan. James Hayter scores a headed goal from inside the penalty box. Preston 0-2 Doncaster.
- 15mins
Unfair challenge on Chris Brown by Adam Lockwood results in a free kick. Strike on goal comes in from Keith Treacy from the free kick, Neil Sullivan makes a comfortable save.
- 15mins
Keith Treacy produces a cross, save made by Neil Sullivan.
- 14mins
James O'Connor crosses the ball, clearance made by Craig Morgan.
- 11mins
James O'Connor finds the net with a goal from the edge of the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Preston 0-1 Doncaster.
- 10mins
Simon Gillett takes a shot from 30 yards. Andy Lonergan makes a save.
- 9mins
Darel Russell gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Brian Stock. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Martin Woods, Paul Hayes gets a block in.
- 8mins
Corner taken by Martin Woods from the right by-line, Craig Morgan makes a clearance.
- 5mins
Keith Treacy is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Neil Sullivan takes the indirect free kick.
- 4mins
Simon Gillett gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Darel Russell. Free kick taken by David Gray.
- 3mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James O'Connor by Paul Hayes. Indirect free kick taken by Neil Sullivan.
- 2mins
Callum Davidson delivers the ball, clearance by Adam Lockwood.
The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.
Match Preview
New-boys braced for Deepdale debuts
Preston boss Darren Ferguson could hand debuts to a number of his new signings for the home clash with Doncaster.
Striker Paul Hayes was recruited on a free transfer from Scunthorpe, centre-backs Wayne Brown and Craig Morgan arrived from Leicester and Peterborough respectively, and defender David Gray signed after being released from Manchester United.
Midfielder Matt James should feature against Rovers after he rejoined Ferguson's men on a season-long loan from Old Trafford following a successful spell last term.
In a further boost, North End this week signed Darel Russell on a three-year deal after he turned down the offer of a new deal at Norwich.
Ferguson, who is hoping to sign a speedy striker before the transfer window closes, will check on the fitness of burly hitman Jon Parkin as he bids to shake off a hamstring strain.
Sean O'Driscoll's Doncaster squad will be bolstered by the return of three long-term injury victims.
Martin Woods, Adam Lockwood and Steve Brooker all suffered extended spells on the sidelines last term but have been back in action during pre-season.
The returns are welcome for O'Driscoll, who is without James Chambers and John Oster after they underwent knee surgery in the summer.
Lockwood could line up alongside youngster Mustapha Dumbuya, who made just three substitute appearances last season but has impressed in recent friendly outings. George Friend, a close-season arrival from Wolves, is poised for a debut.
Fellow new signings Simon Gillett and Josh Payne join Woods in contention for a place in midfield, where Rovers fans will be relieved to see the sought-after Brian Stock lining up in their colours.
Billy Sharp, who made his successful loan move from Sheffield United permanent in the summer, will lead a Rovers attack that could be boosted by Brooker from the bench.
Preston
Doncaster
- Andy Lonergan
- David Gray
- Craig Morgan
- Billy Jones
- Callum Davidson
- Danny Mayor
- Matthew James
- Darel Russell
- Keith Treacy
- Chris Brown
- Paul Hayes
- SUBS
- Andres Arestidou
- Paul Coutts
- Adam Barton
- Paul Parry
- Conor McLaughlin
- Joshua King
- Bailey Wright
Home
Away
- Neil Sullivan
- George Friend
- Shelton Martis
- Adam Lockwood
- James O'Connor
- James Coppinger
- Brian Stock
- Martin Woods
- Simon Gillett
- Billy Sharp
- James Hayter
- SUBS
- Gary Woods
- Steve Brooker
- Josh Payne
- Sam Hird
- Dean Shiels
- Mustapha Dumbuya
- Waide Fairhurst
Match Report
Preston downed by Doncaster New-look Preston endured a bitterly disappointing 2-0 opening-day defeat at the hands of 10-man npower Championship rivals Doncaster. Rovers established an early two-goal advantage with goals from James O'Connor and James Hayter to secure victory before the late dismissal of debutant midfielder Simon Gillett. North End never recovered from their early double blow as a previously optimistic mood at Deepdale gave way to an air of deflation and disappointment among the stunned home fans. Preston manager Darren Ferguson made wholesale changes during the summer, showing the door to several players and bringing in a number of new faces. Defenders David Gray and Craig Morgan, midfielder Darel Russell and striker Paul Hayes were handed places in the starting line-up. Yet Doncaster's intricate passing quickly proved difficult for Preston to cope with and they were left chasing shadows by Sean O'Driscoll's men. O'Connor opened the scoring in the 12th minute when he finished off a fine move down the left flank with a fierce right-foot strike across home goalkeeper Andy Lonergan and into the bottom left-hand corner. O'Driscoll handed debuts to summer signings George Friend and Gillett and the duo both helped the visitors to dominate the opening exchanges and it came as no surprise when they added their second goal in the 18th minute. Defender Friend crossed dangerously and club record signing Billy Sharp greeted his delivery with a firm header. Lonergan made a parried save but Hayter nodded in the rebound from 12 yards out to put Rovers 2-0 up and in total control. Preston struggled to exert themselves on the game and Hayes had a shot blocked by Shelton Martis seven minutes before the break. Moments later, North End winger Keith Treacy drilled in a shot from 25 yards which drew a comfortable save from Rovers goalkeeper Neil Sullivan. Five bookings in the first half - three for Preston - summed up the frustrations of the home side and Chris Brown also earned a fourth yellow card for the home team shortly after the restart. Treacy fired wide in the 49th minute and Sharp also went close for Doncaster. Rovers midfielder Brian Stock also went close as the visitors threatened a third goal. Ferguson replaced Russell with Paul Coutts in the 54th minute and on-loan Manchester United youngster Josh King came off the bench to replace the wasteful Hayes with 20 minutes remaining. But Doncaster's defence continued to hold firm as Sullivan made a smart stop to deny Treacy in the 76th minute. Rovers lost Gillett to a second bookable offence with 12 minutes remaining but they held on with relative comfort to leave Ferguson with plenty to ponder.
