On a rain soaked evening on an open terrace over 1500 fans saw Preston humbled by League Two Accrington Stanley. The result relied upon some inept defending and poor finishing from the visitors but Accrington deserved their victory.
Alarm bells were ringing at kick off. Neil made nine changes from the side that played so well against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend. Only Maxwell and Robinson were retained.
Hugill started up front with Mavididi given is debut on the left and Horgan on the right. Gallagher anchored the midfield with Grimshaw who presently appears to be stealing a living as a footballer.
The back four consisted of O'Connor, Vermijl and a shaky Boyle alongside youngster Ben Davies. The defence was set up to fail with poor play and inexperience in the backline.
The home side were on the front foot early on and made their advantage pay in the first half. A ball was crossed into the box. Everton-Richards, the Stanley centre back was unmarked. He had time to bring down the ball, swivel, turn and shoot past Maxwell.
It is unclear who was meant to be marking the tall centre back but it was a sign of things to come and if it wasn't a preference to sign an experienced defender then it should be now.
Preston came back into the game. Robnson was the main threat having half a dozen attempts from range with the majority flying high wide and handsome.
Mavididi looked void of any confidence and sharpness. His first touch was poor and he looked lethargic which is probably due to lack of game time. He was taken off before the hour and hopefully with time he can prove hmself.
Grmshaw looked lost in midfield. All passes were sideways and when he did surger forward he bemusingly ran the ball out of play with no opposing player within five yeards of him. He was hauled off in the second half.
Johnson and Maguire came on with the latter assisting Hugill up front. North End soon got the equaliser when Hugill was played clean through. Last season he may well have blasted over but he cooly converted.
Preston should have pressed for a second but it was the home side who re-took the lead in a frantic finale. A cross across the box with less than five minutes to go where Clark who appeard to be unmarked converted from close range.
As the clock ticked into injury time Maguire crossed for Hugill who looped a header over the Stanley keeper for a dramatic equaliser. It seemed extra tme beckoned.
The home side had other ideas as Kee scored from a corner from close range as Preston failed to clear the ball. It was an abject night or the Preston defence and the travelling support.
The majority who playe last night will not make the pitch on Saturday at Leeds but the lack of strenght in depth must be a concern to new boss Neil.