Grayson started the season with a 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation as head done so in the friendly games against Burnely and Leictaer. The front trio were Graner, Gallagher and new boy Little.
The midfield was packed with Kilkenny sitting deepe and youngsters Browne and Brownhill further forward. Davies was rewarded with a first team start at left back whilst Woods was given his debut on the right. Clarke and Wright started int he centre with Jones making his debut in goals.
The game started as expected and reflected the first half of games last season. Preston had much of the ball and a number of chances but could not convert. The home side hit the frame of the goal and Carroll, the ex-United keeper, saved from close range. There was also another shot which went just wide.
Notts County were reduced to pumping long balls and some gamesmanship with several alleged injuries in both halves meaning several minutes of injury time. The referee failed to take a grip early on and the visitors played their antics to the maximum.
Having said all that the visitors could have scored int he first half when the big centre half blasted over from cloose range at a corner and there was another chance when Preston made a mistake at the back as is becoming common but it could not be converted.
The visitors scored soon after the break when Cassidy turned and flashed a shot into the net from inside the box. It appeared Jones was beaten for pace and should have done better although reports suggest he was unsighted.
Notts County then came into the game when Humphrey replaced Kilkenny. Preston lost their shape and the visitors then dominated the midfield as the two youngsters lacked the experience to stop them being overrun.
Humphery's first three touches summed him up. The first attack he ran intot he firat defender. The second his cross went beyond the byeline and the third he played so far beyond the defender that his fellow countryman Usain Bolt would have had difficulty catching the ball.
Preston did continue to attack and two minutes from time created a neat passing move which allowed Garner to rasp one in from just inside the box. It was a relief for the home side who need to put chances away when on top.
North End now travel to Rochdale in the Capital One Cup.