[themaclad]

This game turned on one incident in the middle of the second half, a United player had gone down with a head injury and play was stopped, there had been two similar incidents in the first half and both times United had sportingly given the ball back to North End's keeper. On this occasion though Pearson hammered the ball over United's goal line to give them a goal kick. Shelvey took exception to this and was less than impressed with the North End player, pushing and shoving occured between several players aqnd tempers rose considerably. Ironically from the goal kick United scored, Darlow's kick ended up on the half way line, think it was Ritchie who put in a cross which Cunningham could not quite head clear and the Serbian hit man Mitrovic fired home, as he did 10 minutes later when Maxwell failed to hold his first time effort and sadly could not get hold of it as the Serb doubled the lead. This was harsh on the home side who until the first goal had looked the better side .
United understandibly started the better after Tuesday's game but although dominating early possession had little to offer but a tame Ritchie effort. Once North End got into their stride they began to make in roads, a Gallagher shot was saved by Darlow and then first of a series of corners caused panic in the United six yard box, Hugill could not quite turn quickly enough to get to a loose ball.
Unlike Tuesday North End in the faces of the United team although Uncle Fester was still able to fire in some fine cross field passes.
The second half was more open Pringle could not quite get to the ball when well placed, Mitrovic had a couple of efforts one narrowly wide for the Toon.
Following the goals North End went for it although the United defence coped with everything that was thrown at tem although a Baptiste shot ended up at the feet of Clarke who should have scored but hit the side netting.
On the stroke of 90 minutes North End reduced the arrears when Beckford apparently got the final touch to a Cunningham cross.
Six minutes of extra time sent Rafa into orbit however due to an injury three of those minutes ended up with no play, at this some so called supporters decided to donate money to a United player, he was hit by coins(another fine on the way)
Then at the death Beckfor brought down in the area, no penalty given from the melee that followed an over head kick from Makienok? hit the post, if it had gone in it would have given us a deserved point, it didn't go in so we got zip.
Apparently Mr Kavanagh has apologised to North End for not giving the penalty at the end, which is good of him!!!!!!!!!!

Preston North End 1 Newcastle United 2 Att 20742

Preston North End manager Simon Grayson:

"The referee said to me at the end if he's got it wrong he will apologise. Well that's no good to us now!

"Jermaine wouldn't go down if he's got an opportunity like that. It's cost us from getting anything out the game.

"We didn't get the breaks with the opportunity for two penalties. You get those breaks when you're at the top of the division."

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez:

"Mitrovic has given me a very good problem to have. We are really pleased because the team is growing.

"We knew that it would be a tough game, they have beaten some good teams. So we were ready for that and we've been working hard on defence.

"In the second half we were much better. We had more space, more possibilities to counter attack and I think we did well.

"We did well to withstand their pressure and we used our quality to make the difference."