Preston North End captain Alan Browne believes Preston North End's experience helped them beat Blackburn Rovers, describing the game as 'men against boys'.

Jon Dahl Tomasson's side competed far better than in the same fixture last season and deserved something from the match. However, a 90th-minute header from Liam Lindsay won Ryan Lowe's side the match.

Preston did have their chances in an even and fiercely competed Friday night clash. Browne opened the scoring with a fantastic finish after breaking beyond the Rovers defence.

Sam Szmodics drew Rovers level and both teams had chances to win the game. The woodwork was struck three times, twice by Blackburn in the first half and then by Duane Holmes at 1-1.

READ MORE: PNE defeat highlighted Blackburn's Achilles heel

However, Browne felt that Preston's experience tipped the scales in their favour. Whilst he was complimentary about some of Rovers' football, he felt that they could be exposed by the lack of senior players in the side.

"Yeah, loved it," said Browne post-match. "We came here wanting to give the fans something to go home with, because we knew they were travelling in their numbers. 

"They made it a great atmosphere for us. To win any game in that manner is special, but to do it here - having had such a good record in the past and maintained that - I'm pretty sure we've sent them home happy.

"I think there will be plenty of pictures that tell a lot after that... it was carnage after the goal. They were really good - well set up and intricate with their passes. We had to try and match them, get up against them and make it as difficult as possible. 

"I think we did that and took our goals really well. I try to make sure lads know how important it is. In the last couple of years, the biggest game was obviously Blackpool - and I definitely made sure with that.

"But, coming here, I think the boys know. To be honest, it was kind of men against boys and that is not disrespecting them in any way. They are a really good team, with some top-drawer quality and they will go far. 
But, I think they are probably missing that experience throughout their team. 

"They will gain it, but at this moment in time I think we've just got too much for them." 

Rovers beat Blackpool home and away last season but are yet to taste victory against Burnley or Preston North End under Tomasson. This was a far better display though and a draw would have been a fair result.

The average age of Blackburn's starting team on Friday night was 23.9 years old. Szmodics and Sondre Tronstad were the most senior players at 28, with Lewis Travis and Scott Wharton at 26.

For Preston, their youngest player was 17-year-old Kian Best but the average age was 26.2 which makes a big difference across the pitch. Holmes was their most experienced player at 30, though they did introduce 34-year-old Ched Evans with half an hour to go.