The games are now coming thick and fast due to the covid cancellations earlier in the season. Recently, North End have followed one good performance with an average one and this has to change if Preston are to push up the table further.
In his short time in charge Lowe has had a positive impact on the club. The team are now securely sitting in midtable without any hint of being near the relegation battle. The rest of the season therefore gives the club an opportunity to push themselves knowing there is little risk.
In recent times Preston put in an amazing comeback with ten men against Stoke only to falter and fade in the next game away at Swansea. The last few days went along similar lines.
North End travelled to a less than impressive West Brom last Wednesday where they secured their first victory for the first time in almost fifty years. It was another midweek impresssive performance.
Riis scored from a deflected Cunningham cross in the first half whilst new loan signing Archer came off the bench to score from close range to secure the victory in the second half.
It was a polished performance against West Brom with the home side rarely troubling Iversen. The problem was that Preston then failed to translate the good performance from Wednesday to the home game against Bristol City on Saturday.
The visitors on Saturday dominated the middle of the park throughout the match which effectively forced Lowe into changes at half time. This was after Bristol City took the lead through a well worked goal finished by Martin.
The visitors missed a gilt edge chance from six yards out with a half open goal before the break and the away side will be disappointed that they didn't convert their dominance.
Preston came out after the break with Mccann and Earl replacing Ledson and Cunningham. Archer, with his first start for the club, looked menacing and his effort created the first goal. A shot from range by Archer was pushed away but only into the path of Riis who knocked home the equaliser.
Bristol City retook the lead with less than ten minutes to go when Semenyo finished off for the visitors. It should really have been the winning goal but these days Preston never give up.
As the game was drifting to a conclusion in injury time a right wing cross found Riis in the box who volleyed home a spectacular finish to grab a point for Preston.
It was probably fortunate that Preston picked up a point but they will take it. The key to the remainder of the season is consistency. It is clear that Preston can compete and take points from most teams in the division but they need to put in performances on a regular basis.
The next few weeks will be crucial with games every few days. If they can put performances together then the momentum will build but there is still a big question over whether Preston can perform equally well twice in a few days.
Next up is a midweek trip to Millwall for a rearranged game before a game away at Hull at the weekend. It will be interesting to see if Preston can find their top level once again.