In reality Preston's season has been over for the best part of two months. Ryan Lowe steered Preston into a comfortable midtable position but any lingering hope of a play off spot was diminished in early March after a dismal performance away at Luton where the travelling fans were refunded.
The last few weeks have been abject interjected by the win against Blackpool. Lowe wanted to use the last remaining games to run the rule over some of the players ahead of a likely mass exodus this summer.
The game against Blackburn proved to be one of the worst performances of the season alongside the Luton away day. From front to back North End lack appetite for the game and were poor across the pitch.
Blackburn still had an outside chance of the play offs and some poor defending afforded them an easy victory. Set piece defending and a lack of closing down meant Preston allowed several avoidable goals in a 4-1 defeat.
The Blackburn game then contrasted with Gentry Day and Barnsley away. The home side were already relegated and whilst Lowe made some changes Preston managed to overcome their hosts thanks to a double from Daniel Johnson who excelled in a wing back role in a 3-1 victory.
North End now have one final home game against Middlebrough who are still in with a chance of a play off spot. Preston cannot afford to be on the beach again if they are to avoid being on the end of another humiliating Deepdale scoreline.
It is clear that there will be a big clearout in the summer and that cannot start soon enough after this weekend's final game. It will be interesting to see if Lowe can bring in his targets and to see if they can settle quickly given the early start to the new season.