SHEFFIELD United know the value of playing badly but still winning after Graham Alexander's 58th-minute own goal gave the Blades a 1-0 victory over Preston which maintains their play-off challenge.

Alexander headed Michael Tonge's cross into his own net and North End had Mark Rankine sent off to complete a forgettable afternoon for Craig Brown's men.

Brown believed the result was harsh on his side.

"I think we didn't deserve to lose," he said.

"There's no question United were better than us in the first half, but I thought we were better in the second-half. The chances we created were very good and we deserved more from the game."

Brown defended the red-carded Rankine, saying: "He told the referee that he'd done us out of three points. It seemed a bit harsh to send him off.

"Sometimes the decisions go for you and sometimes they don't. The goal was unfortunate. The ironic thing is that Alexander would have taken the penalty if it had been awarded."

Brown believes that Preston have been a little unfortunate so far this season.

"Results haven't reflected the way we've played," he added. "I don't think we've really been out-played and we could easily be in the top six."