[themaclad]

A quick chance to put right the chaotic game on Tuesday. A much change Crawley arrive for their third visit to Deepdale since their promotion, now under the stewardship of John Gregory. They have had a steady start to the season. They seem to be a tight defence side have not let in any of their last two games against Fleetwood and Donny. Apparently they paid £700,000 for Gwion Edwards from Swansea in the summer, whether this is right, this does seem to suggest someone is putting decent money into the club.
North End will be without the suspended and now injured Hugill, hopefully should be a debut from the start from Robinson. Hopefully it will be 442 otherwise another afternood of gloom could beset the home fans by 5pm. Not crisis time for Grayson but pressure is building.

[themaclad]

In the end a workmanlike victory for North End over a very ordinary Crawley Town. Grayson kept the same side that lobbed a three goal lead away on Tuesday against Chesterfield. A bright start with shots from Brownhill for North End and Williams for Crawly going close before the game settled down into a dour encounter with not a lot to excite the 10330 crowd. On 20 minutes Garner was denied by a flying save by Ashdown in the Crawley goal. The resultant corner however did end up in the Crawley net, Browne's pass found Wright who side footed home from 12 yards. Within minutes Crawley could have levelled as Gallagher headed against the underside of his own cross bar before the ball was cleared by the home defence to safety. It was the last highlight for Crawley. Hayhurst and Browne both had great chances to increase the lead both were spurned.
An early Gallagher shot went close before it was back to a midfield struggle. As with Tuesday the eary stages of the second half were a bit niggly but the flashing of the yellow card in a few faces cooled the game down.
Nortn End dominated possession but did little with it going sideways and backwards at snails pace. Eventually Gallagher shrugged off a challenge from Williams before putting a cross in , the ball was handled. Garner did the rest from the spot.
Game over, Williams went close with a late attack for the visitors but there afternoon was summed up by a late McLeod overhead shot which went out for a throw in.
North End eased to the points against a decidedly average Crawley side. Crawley's supporters of less than 100 will have a long journey home with the knowledge that John Gregory will not be taking them to promotion.


Preston North End 2 Crawley Town 0 ATT 10330

[St Charles Owl]

Nice to get that first win in 4 games to stop the rot that was in danger of setting in. Good result and somethng to definitely build on, leaves you nicely placed just outside the playoffs.

[themaclad]

And I think also above Fleetwood, and that matters to those of us who live in the Blackpool area