Grayson went with the same starting line up for the third match in a row with Brownhill retaining his place in midfield. At times the team stuttered against a poor County side who occupy the relegation places.
The first half was distinctly average. The pitch was not conducive to passing football but both sides were well below the mark that it wouldn't have mattered if they were playing in a sand dune.
Notts County huffed and puffed having the odd chance but nothing of any serious concern. Preston simply couldn't get going and the referee seemed to be whistle happy which just added to the frustration of the poor few who had entered Meadow Lane.
The second half was a little better. County blasted over when they should have doen better but Preston spurred into life when Grayson made his changed. Hume and Garner replaced the front two with both substitutes providing an energy which was distinctly lacking.
Brownhill was put clean through and was being tugged at. A more experienced player may have gone down leavign the defender to be sent off but the youngster continued but could not find the net.
The solitary goal of the game came almost by default. Laird was plain in down the left. He flicked the ball insdie his man and is so often the case looked for the foul by clipping his own legs. He then realised that he had the beating of his man and stayed on his feet.
Laird then swiped at the ball as if to shoot but the shot was so poor it ended up being drilled across the box where the unmarked Hume had a simple tap in.
The home side simply weren't good enough or inventive enough to come back in the game and Kiwomya paid for his job the next day as they sit deep in the middle of a relegation battle.
Preston played poorly but took all three points and with it closed the gap on second place to six points. They will need to be more inventive as better sides than Notts County would have turned Preston over on Saturday.
Source: WHITES
Source: FOOTYMAD
