BOURNEMOUTH, £4,000,000 in debt, rocked North End with a goal after just 19 minutes. No one picked up Jason Brissett from a set piece situation, and in a flash he had the ball beyond Kelham O'Hanlon into the net and Preston were chasing the match.

Bournemouth were in total control of the middle of the park and Brissett went close to adding a second but Preston survived.

North End struggled to get their game together, but David Moyes got forward in support of the attack and was disappointed to see his goalbound effort hit the crossbar.

Trailing 1-0 at half time, Preston came out strongly in the second half and Ian Bryson hit a stunning shot wide of the post. Bournemouth hit back and Simon Davey, desperately trying to clear in front of goal, almost turned the ball into his own net.

Bournemouth continued to dominate the match and O'Hanlon did well to keep out an effort from Town.

But Bournemouth added a second in 63 minutes, another set piece which which Preston couldn't handle, and Ian Cox put the ball away with ease and it was all over.

Gary Bennet had a chance to reduce the arrears as North North End came back into the match. But he couldn't put the ball away and Bournemouth held onto their 2-0 lead. Then, as Preston tried to lift their game, it all went horribly wrong when midfielder Mark Rneankine was sent off for a second bookable offence and North End were reduced to ten men.

It was now a bridge too far for Preston and they now face an important battle against Wycome Wanderers in what is now a six pointer at Deepdale on Saturday.

Preston are favourites and should win it, but if the result goes the wrong way , then alarm bells will ring loud in the oak panelled corridors of Deepdale.

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