Both teams started in the relegation zone and for once you could see why. Apart from a rasping Simon Whaley shot well saved the first half an hour was lacklustre with both sides giving away possession. There was no pattern to either sides play and the game was riddled wiht mistakes from both teams.
It was a mistake from Wednesday which was capitalised on by Gallagher whose new partner Hawley rounded the keeper to double his tally for the season.
Preston held onto the lead until half time. Wednesday made a double change at half time. Several minutes later Andy Lonergan picked up his award for 'Donkey of the Day'. Wednesday like Preston lacked all creativity. A long ball pumped up was likely to be header back by Chilvers who was comfortably in front of the Wednesday striker in a race for the ball. Lonergan for some unknown reason raced thirty yards from goal only for him to jump miss-head the ball which embarassingly went over him. Sodje then converted into the open goal.
Wednesday went on the front foot making Lonergan save in what was his first meaningful touch of the game. Whaley then put in a great cross for Hawley who was unlucky not to score as his header was well saved.
Preston lacked any ideas and changes were made. With no defenders available three strikers sat on the bench. Gallagher was ineffective meaning Preston were ineffectiive so Mellor and Carrol came on for Hawley and Gallagher. Withing 30 seconds Mellor created an opening squaring to Carrol unmarked six yards out. The strike rmissed na open goal blazing wide. This will surely be his last touch as a Preston player and sums up his loan period.
A minute later and the game was over. Wednesday got into the box on the right and a cross was fired at Matt Hill from less than two yards away. The referee deemed it hit Hill's hand - how he was meant to get out of the way from close range is unknown to anyone. The arguments persisted and went on well after the final whistle with Irvine confronting the officials post match. Jeffers converted the penalty and Preston knew of no way back as they hit rock bottom.
The story of the season was summed up today. A lack of ideas followed by missed chances and heads going down after conceding to an absymal mistake all leads to Preston being bottom of the lead and after losing their last three to disticntly average sides dark time lie ahead before the end of the season.