By Red Rose's Tom Parker.

IN MY view, there is no more depressing place than Rotherham to visit. But if you know of somewhere that could be twinned with the bleak market town, then please write and let me know!

With six or seven hundred Preston North End supporters, I travelled across the Pennines into darkest Yorkshire in search of a third away league victory.

We got it at 1-0. But it was a backs-to-the-wall rearguard action in the second half. In truth, Preston were lucky, very lucky.

North End paraded new on-loan signing Shaun Teale as one of three central defenders, but it was a formation that never looked comfortable. And, with better finishing, the Millers could have been two goals up in double-quick time.

Paul Hurst missed a great chance to open the scoring with a clear shot at goal, and he must still be wondering how he failed to put the ball in the net.

Then a curling cross from Hayward to the back post was perfect for Brian Gayle - but he headed the wrong side of the post.

Having survived, Preston hit on the break. Ian Bryson played the ball into the box, David Reeves and goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington clashed, the ball flew high in the air. When it dropped the Preston striker headed into the net and the Barmy Army celebrated.

Lee Cartwright took a knock just before half-time, and, although he came out for the second half, he lasted only five minutes, as he and Lee Ashcroft both hobbled off injured to be replaced by Dean Barrick and Gary Bennett.

Preston lost their way from this point, and it was like the Alamo as Rotherham surged forward in search of an equaliser.

Garner rattled the crossbar from 20 yards and Earl Judejean was clear with only O'Hanlon to beat but, amazingly, he shot wide.

McGlashan burst through to the edge of the box and was clear on goal until Simon Davey took his legs away in a tackle that earned him a yellow card when he could easily have expected a red one.

Glover headed wide as everyone came forward for Rotherham, but some frantic defending kept the Millmoor attack at bay.

Wave after wave of crosses homed into the Preston area, but always a head or a boot or Kelham O'Hanlon defied Rotherham with North End fans screaming for the final whistle. How they cheered when it came.

As a Lancashire lad I hated history at school, particularly that Bosworth Field bit in 1485 that ended the War of the Roses, when Lancashire didn't play well and lost.

In this Roses match, the team from Lancashire didn't get going either, but came back across the Pennines in the dark with the points.

Funny game this football...

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