Happy New Year to all although for the Whites we appear to have a few problems. Hume injured again, Procter not fit and Mellor out for weeks. Welcome to Jake Jervis on loan from Birmingham, believe there is another forward being signed on Tuesday reported to be Lewis Grabban, hopefully shortly we will also have a manager. Rochdale are also managerless and seemed in danger at the bottom end of the table. It doesn't look like it's going to be a classic, a win would be nice suspect it will be a tad cold for the mass ranks of Whites who will make the short journey into the hills.
Preston gained a point in a 1-1 draw at Spotland in truth they were lucky to get that, second best in all departments against next to the bottom side Rochdale. A quiet start apart from an effort from Adams which went narrowly over the top. North End took the lead from their first corner, when Parry's shot was deflected into the net by new loan signing Jervis. (0-1) That was about as good as it got for the visitors asRochdale took control, Bogdanovic was unlucky when his shot hit the bar, but he wasn't to be denied for long as he scramble home from close range shortly afterwards (1-1) North End's lack of pace throughout the side was evident, however they managed to hold on and get to half time level. North End were on the back foot throughout the second half only troubling debutant Kurucz once in the 2nd half. Dale should have increased their lead however excellent last ditch defending by Gray and Morgan denied them. Dale also had two goals disallowed of which they were extremely unlucky with the second which looked more like keeper error than a foul. The last 20 minutes Rochdale ran out of ideas and the on;ly entertainment was the [erformance of the referee Mr Kettle who managed to antagonise both sets of supporters with increasingly bizarre decisions. Rochdale 1 Preston North End 1 Att 4570
