NORTH END 2

WYCOMBE WANDERERS 1

I DIDN'T see any violin cases being smuggled into Deepdale, but the way that North End started, we looked to be in for a St Valentine's Day Massacre (writes TOM PARKER).

In the opening 15 minutes, Preston camped out in the Wycombe half of the park and Mark Rankine forced a fine save from John Cheesewright.

Then, as Wycombe failed to properly clear a corner on the right, the ball fell invitingly into the path of Sean Gregan and he unleashed a powerhouse of a shot that crashed against the crossbar, but stayed out.

Inspired by the noise from the terraces, North End kept coming forward and Wycombe cracked.

Ian Bryson got control in midfield and played a fine ball into the feet of Paul McKenna just outside the box.

He controlled the ball instantly as the defence retreated took a couple of paces forward and hit a fierce shot which brushed against the body of Terry Evans and wide of the keeper into the net.

This should have been springboard to kill Wycombe off.

It wasn't, Preston allowed the visitors back into the match and paid the price as the excellent Miguel De Souza rattled the crossbar from 25 yards and Steve McGavin followed up to beat Kelham O'Hanlon and we were all square again at half-time.

Preston battled hard but couldn't really get their act together, particularly in the middle of the park and De Souza was always a threat.

De Souza looked to have provided a goal for Wycombe when his clever play out on the right ended with a perfect cross to Read, but the big striker headed wide and in another attack, McKenna did well to clear De Souza's shot-cum-centre.

With seven minutes to go, North End rallied, Gregan found space out on the right and his early ball into the box picked out the blond head of David Reeves.

The Preston striker back headed the ball and in stormed Simon Davey to steer the ball over the advancing Cheesewright high into the net and Deepdale was a cauldron of noise.

It was Preston's first double of the season and sets North End up for the difficult encounter with Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Saturday.

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