Stoke throw it all away

In a tale of two halves, the Potters managed to throw away three points at Deepdale. Stoke were 2-0 up within seven minutes but managed to let Preston, who have only lost once at home since losing 1-0 to the Potters way back in September 2005, back into the game with only 25 minutes to go.

Tony Pulis gave starts to Dominic Matteo and the returning Andy Griffin, with Vincent Pericard deputising in attack for the suspended Ricardo Fuller.

Liam Lawrence had put the visitors into the lead on only two minutes after captain, Michael Duberry’s cross had been held by Mamady Sidibe for Lawrence to slam the ball home from 12 yards.

It was Sidibe, playing an inspired game for a change, who got the second only 5 minutes later. A lack of communication between the PNE defence and a free ball allowed Sidibe to get round the keeper and head home. Stoke continued to justify their lead, but after half time Preston started to dominate.

Goals from McKenna and Nugent brought the home side level and with Stoke expecting to have to share the points, the visitors were shell shocked when Wilson popped up on 89 minutes to steal all the points when Steve Simonsen fumbled the ball and Wilson bundled the ball home from two yards.

Tony Pulis will no doubt be having an inquest on Monday as to how the Potters managed to throw away a two goal lead. Hopefully there is time to sort things out before the visit to Turf Moor on Tuesday for the rearranged match with Burnley.

Preston NE: Nash, Alexander, Chilvers, Wilson, Hill, Lewis Neal, Sedgwick (Whaley 59), McKenna, Pugh, Nugent, Ormerod (Ricketts 88).
Subs not used: Lonergan, Dichio, St. Ledger.

Stoke City: Simonsen, Wilkinson (Brammer 77), Duberry, Higginbotham, Griffin, Hoefkens, Matteo, Russell, Lawrence, Sidibe, Pericard (Rooney 83).
Subs not used: Eustace, Sweeney, Dickinson.