The referee then showed how weak he was for the big occassion. Less than seven days earlier Danny Dichio was red carded for 'elbowing' an opposing player yet out of two visiting players who pushed over Preston players in a mad brawl only a single yellow card was produced. The incident just before half time changed the match.
The referee was not strong enough and this showed in the second half. Preston fell behind as keeper nash could only parry into the path of Steve Howard. Moment later a Chilvers foul which was clearly outside the box was adjudged by the referee as inside. The referee who was front on to the challenge did not even consult his linesman who was adjacent to the foul. Protests quite rightly followed but Howard tucked away the penalty.
The referee changed his shirt at half time from yellow to green - it was too obvious in the first half with Derby also sporting yellow. The change of shirt meant nothing despite Nugent pulling back a late goal.
The defeat described as glorious on our sister site at Derby was one which North End will be disappointed with but once again proves that the division is so mediocre this year that Derby sit in second place.
Preston will bounce back but Simpson has to be wary that four defeats in seven are quickly turned around and that key players stay at the club for the rest of the season.