Following our decent performance on Saturday, it's back to home soil for the visit of Walsall, can't recall when the Saddlers last played at Deepdale as gthey have tended to swap between the bottom two divisions for the last decade otr so. In their ranks is one time hero Jon Macken who even at the veteran stage will need to be watched. Team selection for the Whites should be interesting Hume, Coutts, Mayor should be in the squad but will Westley play them?
Another game of football that will not be remembered for long, as Preston and Walsall shared no goals between them at Deepdale. A disjointed first half not helped by a 10 minute stoppage due to a horror injury for North End's Adam Barton who broke and dislocated his ankle in 2 or 3 places. The early chances fell the way of Walsall although to be truthful most of them ended up in the stand behind the goal. Walsall's Jon Macken ex home favourite looked a quality player still although age has robbed him of his pace, was the main focal for the Saddlers attack. Following Barton's injury North End started to get a grip of the game and were denied a certain penalty when Cummings was blatantly shoved in the back. To be fair to Mr Naylor he was consistent and gave nothing to either side all afternoon. In the lengthy added time Cummings nearly scored with a canny flick over his head which forced a fine save from Grof. From the resulting corner Grof again saved from Holroyd. Off tropped the players and on came Miss World to sing? a couple of songs, dreadful probably in keeping with the game. North End should have been punished within 5 minutes of the re start Paterson got clear managed to shake of Parry who was trying to swap shirts, beat the keeper but put the ball the wrong side of the post. Walsall continued to look the likellietr although to headers from Procter brought saves from Grof. Finally deep into injury time Stuckmann pulled of a stunner of a save to deny Walsall substitute Beevers from winning it. Not great but North End need another 10 points to avoid a second relegation, they should get them but it won't be pretty viewing. Preston North End 0 Walsall 0 Att 11000
