Noeth End started 2019 in dsimal fashion and are now on a run of four winless games stretching back to before Christmas when they were hit by a worsening injury crisis.
Whilst fingers were pointed over the cause of the incessant number of injuries the matchday squad can only be blamed for the incessant number of opportunities missed to kill the games against Villa and Rotherham.
After a lacklustre display on Boxing Day against Hull, Preston came out firing against Villa but failed to convert their chances. The woodwork was hit, easy opportunities missed and one on one situations which should have been put away.
Instead Preston fell behind to another set piece with some questionable marking. Abraham was allowed to roam free in the box to nod home. North End did equalise with Nmecha bundling home a Johnson cross although the defnder also had some input.
Preston then travelled to Rotherham who were themselves struggling. Again numerous chances went begging before Vaulks smashed in a free kick to give the home side the lead.
Nmecha scored in consecutive games to level up but some poor defending allowed Smith to head home from a cross. The defeat drags Preston towards the bottom three.
North End are not in a position to rest players with such a significant injury list but performances are poor. Chances are being created and not finished. Preston could easily have had six points from their last two games but instead they are now looking over their shoulders.