Grayson kept the same side that won at Gillingham with Brownhill keeping his place in the side. The team did look lobsided at time with Humphrey always appearing to be free on the right with Laird always tied down on the left.
Bradford have done well under Parkinson but they limited themselves in terms of how they played. They came to play on the counter which worked well when in front as at every opportunity they looked to get the ball forward.
Sometimes it wasn't pretty with Bradford going the aerial route even more so when the ball was played out wide to Reid who whilst having some skills spent most of the evening on the deck play acting conning the referee at every opportunity which was disappointing to see.
The visitors took the lead early ona nd it set the tone for the evening. Preston should have cleared an attack down the left of theri defence. They failed to do so and a right wing cross came in. Clarke didn't pick up Hanson who had a free header at the back post.
Moments later Bradford had an inncouous shot from the edge of the box. Rudd should have saved easily but it squirmed underneath his body and onto the post.
Preston then gained some composure but their passing was too slow and often Humphrey would have been in if the ball had been delivered quicker to him.
North End did get an equaliser in the first half. It was Bradford's turn for some poor marking. Laird swung ina free kick and Clarke slipped his man to make amends and convert home. The ball did appear to go off his back/shoulder.
Bradford were then restricted to trying to hit the big frontmen or getting the ball out to Reid which assisted North End somewhat who managed to see more of the ball and control the game a little more.
Preston took the lead in the second half froma Laird corner. Bailey Wright was completely unmarked and managed to head home from close range. That should have been the game settled.
Less than five minutes later Bradford were level thanks to yet more poor marking. A corner came in from the left and McArdle made a runa cross thebox losing his marker and flicking home a neat header.
The game ended all square and might have been all different if the defenders had marked tighter as was meant to be. North End remain fourth and will be disappointed that they could not catch up more on Leyton Orient who had a bad night.
North End travel to Notts County on Saturday where they will be looking for a win to try to close the gap as they do not want to get embroiled in a fight for the play off places this early in the season.
Source: WHITES
Source: FOOTYMAD
