QPR 3-1 Preston

Preston fall deeper into relegation trouble with defeat to superior QPR.

"Come in, be positive" was the advice manager Darren Ferguson gave new on-loan signing Michael Tonge in mid-week, but it will be hard to remain positive if defeats like this continue. Three new loan signings had raised expectations, but Preston posed little threat as they fell to their fourth defeat in five games to a much superior QPR.

With much talk before the game about a forceful QPR side that boasted the only unbeaten record in the football league, PNE knew they faced a tough task ahead of them. However, it took the home side only four minutes to break through the North End defence. Midfielder Karl Walker was allowed a darting run down the touchline, and struck a menacing cross into the box. Lonergan came out to make the save, but the ball fell through his hands and right at the feet of striker Ian Hulse who claimed his first goal of the season from two yards out.

Rangers almost took a two goal lead on the 25th minute when a slip-up from Brown at the back let in Jamie Mackie for a free shot a goal which was parried away by Lonergan. Leon Clarke – making his first start for the club – skied the follow up, striking it high over the bar.

Clarke did find the net ten minutes later, volleying a rocket shot from close range, but it was ruled out as he was adjudged to have handled the ball.

Preston came close with a couple of chances either side of half-time. The first, three minutes from the end of the half, was a long range shot from on-loan Tonge which failed to trouble Kenny in the QPR goal.

The second, on 53 minutes, a well worked counter-attack brought forward by Tonge, culminated in a dangerous through ball into the box from Jon Parkin to Adam Barton. But Barton, with ample time and space could only plough the ball into the legs of Paddy Kenny.

Preston would live to rue their missed opportunity as two minutes later QPR doubled their lead. Twenty one year old captain Adel Taarabt picked up the ball inside Preston territory, dribbled towards the area and shot a stunning strike into the roof of the net, leaving Lonergan helpless.

The Lilywhites looked more vulnerable as the game progressed. On the 64th minute Rob Hulse connected well with an in-swinging corner, and was only denied a goal by a clearance off the line from Jon Parkin.

Five minutes from time, QPR sealed their victory. Taarabt finished another astounding effort in almost identical fashion to his first. Picking up on a loose ball after Preston were dispossessed in midfield, he found himself with plenty of space, and a couple of touches was all it took before he powered a shot into the top left corner from thirty yards out.

A mix-up between Matt Connolly and his goalkeeper gifted Preston with a consolation goal two minutes from time to make it 3-1. But it was too little, too late; and with one win in their last nine, the Lilywhites slip further behind in the struggle for survival.

After the game Darren Ferguson praised his team for the way they reacted after conceding an early goal, but admitted QPR deserved all three points. When asked about next week, he said his side needed “a win, a bit of luck, and keep believing”.