Preston enhance play-off claims

Alexander scores from the spot for Preston's opener

Preston virtually guaranteed themselves a play-off place with a thrilling win over Watford at Deepdale.

Striker Jon Macken scored two goals for Preston and earned the penalty that gave them their first.

But equally crucial to the home side was 17-year-old keeper Andrew Lonergan, called into the team at the last minute after first-choice David Lucas injured his back in the warm-up.

He pulled off several excellent saves in the closing minutes as Watford piled forward in search of an equaliser.

The Hornets, whose goals were scored by Gifton Noel-Williams and Robert Page, now face a tough task to make the play-offs.

Lonergan was faced with a Watford onslaught almost as soon as the game started.

Tommy Mooney was particularly threatening for the visitors and went close after only a minute, firing in a low left-footed drive that Lonergan could only parry.

Preston penalty

Yet it was Preston who took the lead after 24 minutes.

Jon Macken did brilliantly to flick the ball over Robert Page on the edge of the area.

Watford defenders Paul Robinson and Steve Palmer made a hash of clearing and the Preston striker found himself clean through before going down under a challenge from Alec Chamberlain.

It was fantastic the way Lonergan handled himself - it was a big game and he was on television

  David Moyes
Preston manager

Graham Alexander stepped up to thump the penalty high past the Watford keeper's right hand.

The home side then stunned Watford by going further ahead.

Alexander chipped a clever ball to Ian Alexander inside the area and the Scot astutely headed across to Macken, who side-footed home from the edge of the six-yard box.

It was rough justice for Watford, who had carved out the better chances without any reward, and they deservedly pulled one back before the interval.

Watford onslaught

Neil Cox hit a speculative ball toward the edge of the area and Noel-Williams, fully 18 yards out, sent a powerful header looping over Lonergan and into the net.

At half-time Watford manager Graham Taylor propably told his charges to test Preston's inexperienced keeper more and the ploy soon paid dividends after the break.

We are going to have to do a lot of praying, hoping that Preston, West Brom and Birmingham don't win another game but we do

  Graham Taylor
Watford manager

Lonergan failed to meet a right-wing corner and grateful Page headed in from only a yard out.

But the keeper's team-mates made sure he did not have to rue his error for too long.

Almost straight after the re-start Palmer missed a long cross into the area and Macken collected before despatching a low angled drive into the goal.

Watford brought on Nordin Wooter late on as they pressed for an equaliser and he brought an excellent save out of Lonergan with a low shot.

Mooney also hit the crossbar as Preston desperately held onto their advantage.

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Preston: Lonergan, Alexander, Edwards, Murdock, Kidd, McKenna, Anderson, Gregan, Rankine, Healy, Macken. Subs: Barry-Murphy, Cartwright, Cresswell, Gunnlaugsson.

Watford: Chamberlain, Cox, Robinson, Palmer, Page, Nielsen, Mooney, Kennedy, Vernazza, Noel-Williams, Smith. Subs: Hyde, Day, Helguson, Panayi, Wooter.

Referee: Tom Jones (Leeds).