Preston North End

Preston 2-1 Hull
Danny Dichio scored twice as Preston won their fifth straight home game. Dichio latched on to a scuffed shot from Simon Whaley to put North End in front after 49 seconds. The Preston striker then headed home a Whaley cross after 37 minutes, but John Welsh scored at the second attempt for Hull after Carlo Nash's initial save. Hull played a full part in the match, with Danny Mills forcing a save and both Nicky Forster and Stuart Elliott going close for the bottom side. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preston boss Paul Simpson on striker Danny Dichio: \"He is on a roll. He is getting goals for us but the other side to Danny Dichio has been a real plus for us. \"Four or five times he got his head on things and cleared his lines for us. \"That is what he was doing for us before but not scoring the goals. We've got a hell of a player on our hands if he is going to be winning headers in our box and scoring at the other end.\" Hull boss Phil Parkinson: \"I can only go away with positives and I thought our second-half performance was tremendous. \"At half-time, 2-0 down to a very good side, people around the country might be thinking it would be interesting to see how we respond and it could have gone one of two ways. \"We went out and played with conviction and belief and almost got ourselves back in the game. \"If we're going to succeed or fail, I want to do it with conviction and belief.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preston: Nash, Alexander, St. Ledger, Chilvers, Hill, Whaley (Neal 74), Sedgwick, McKenna, Pugh, Dichio, Nugent (Ormerod 90). Subs Not Used: Lonergan, Davidson, Wilson. Booked: Dichio. Goals: Dichio 1, 37. Hull: Myhill, Mills, Coles (Parkin 69), Turner, Ricketts, Fagan (France 76), Ashbee, Welsh, Delaney, Elliott, Forster. Subs Not Used: Duke, Dawson, Bridges. Booked: Fagan, Delaney, Forster, Mills. Goals: Welsh 58. Att: 13,728 Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).

Pulis keen to bring in goalkeeper
Stoke City manager Tony Pulis is eager to bring in another goalkeeper to compete with Steve Simonsen for the number one spot. Pulis said: \"We have been looking for another keeper for some while. \"There's no doubt that competition is the best way to keep people in good form and not fall into the trap of drifting down easy street. \"Simmo is a top keeper, but he can only benefit from another one coming in,\" Pulis told the Sentinel.

Burnley 3-2 Preston
A last-gasp strike from Andy Gray gave Burnley victory over Preston in a dramatic Lancashire derby that saw four goals scored in the last 13 minutes. Burnley took the lead when James O'Connor slotted in from the edge of the six-yard area. Simon Whaley equalised with a volley before Brett Ormerod gave Preston the lead firing in past a ruck of players. An own goal from the head of Sean St. Ledger made it 2-2 before Gray settled matters with a deft headed flick.

Preston v Leeds
Preston's England Under-21 striker David Nugent is back in contention after serving a ban. Fellow strikers Danny Dichio (back) and Patrick Agyemang (hip) should be fit to feature but North End boss Paul Simpson has no fresh concerns. Leeds striker Ian Moore is doubtful for the midweek trip to Preston after sustaining a back injury. Central defender Paul Butler also sustained a knock against Southend, but is expected to prove his fitness.

Preston 4-1 Leeds
David Nugent starred for second place Preston as they powered to a fine win to stun new Leeds manager Dennis Wise. Nugent crossed for Danny Dichio to head in the first and then squared for Danny Pugh to stab home the second. Nugent tapped in a Simon Whaley cross at the start of the second half but David Healy pulled one back with a tap-in from Richard Cresswell's cross. North End substitute Lewis Neal rounded off victory with a heavily deflected strike from 30 yards. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preston boss Paul Simpson: \"It was everything we asked for after losing at Burnley. We couldn't have asked the players for more with their work-rate and attitude. \"It's an emphatic win and could even have been more. It probably is the best performance of the season so far.\" On striker David Nugent, he added: \"He has shown what a hot property he is and we want to keep him as long as we can.\" Leeds manager Dennis Wise: \"I've been involved in two and watched three games and it isn't what I want really, it's not enough. \"I've told the players and they know. I just think we might at some stage need to bring in some fresh faces just to give us a bit more competition. \"There needs to be more competition and I'm very disappointed. I'm not too pleased with it at the present moment.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preston: Nash, Alexander, St. Ledger, Chilvers, Hill, Whaley, Sedgwick, McKenna, Pugh (Neal 78), Dichio, Nugent (Ormerod 85). Subs Not Used: Lonergan, McCormack, Wilson. Goals: Dichio 19, Pugh 22, Nugent 47, Neal 84. Leeds: Stack, Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Lewis, Moore (Horsfield 50), Westlake, Derry, Johnson (Blake 49), Cresswell, Healy. Subs Not Used: Warner, Richardson, Foxe. Booked: Moore, Cresswell, Healy. Goals: Healy 80. Att: 16,168. Ref: A Marriner (W Midlands).

Preston v Luton
With in-form Danny Dichio suspended, Preston boss Paul Simpson is hoping striker Patrick Agyemang will recover from a slight groin problem. Striker Neil Mellor (knee) and midfielder Adam Nowland (broken leg) remain sidelined along with defender Youl Mawene (knee). Luton are hopeful Kevin Foley will return to ease their injury crisis. Lewis Emanuel, Chris Coyne and Sam Parkin are big doubts. Sol Davis, Paul Underwood and Calvin Andrew are out.

Preston 3-0 Luton
Graham Alexander scored a second-half penalty to set Preston on their way to victory over 10-man Luton. Adam Boyd missed early on for Luton with only Carlo Nash to beat and Preston's David Nugent hit the post. After the break Hatters keeper Marlon Bersford was sent-off for tripping Nugent and Alexander converted. Substitute keeper Dean Brill saved from Simon Whaley but could not stop close-range efforts from Patrick Agyemang and Brett Ormeord. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preston manager Paul Simpson: \"We've shown we can play flowing football but it's not always going to be like that and against Luton we had to roll our sleeves up. \"Perhaps the fans thought it was a case of us just turning up and putting the shirts on today. \"But we had to battle and we have shown we can do that.\" Luton manager Mike Newell (on Marlon Beresford's red card): \"It's a stupid rule made by stupid people. Of course the keeper's the last man. \"If a keeper cannot be allowed to go down at the striker's feet and make an honest challenge something is wrong. \"There's people pontificating on a Sunday morning and scrutinising every decision and it's not right.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preston: Nash, Alexander, Chilvers, St. Ledger (Wilson 75), Hill, Sedgwick, Whaley, McKenna, Pugh, Agyemang (Ormerod 76), Nugent (Lewis Neal 82). Subs Not Used: Davidson, Chris Neal. Goals: Alexander 52 pen, Agyemang 60, Ormerod 87. Luton: Beresford, Foley, Barnett, Heikkinen, Holmes, Edwards, Langley (Bell 65), Robinson, Morgan (Brill 51), Boyd (Brkovic 76), Vine. Subs Not Used: Feeney, Perrett. Sent Off: Beresford (50). Booked: Vine. Att: 13,094 Ref: C Webster (Tyne & Wear).

Southend v Preston
Southend striker Gary Hooper bruised his foot in the Carling Cup win against Manchester United and will be replaced by Matt Harrold, who was cup-tied. Full-back Lewis Hunt is out with an ankle problem, but defender Efe Sodje will play despite a broken finger. Danny Dichio is available after a ban to battle for one of two striking spots in the Preston team with David Nugent, Brett Ormerod and Patrick Agyemang. Neil Mellor, Adam Nowland and Youl Mawene remain on the treatment table.

Southend 0-0 Preston
Preston's push for promotion suffered a setback at Roots Hall as they were held to a stalemate by strugglers Southend. It was Freddy Eastwood, fresh from his Carling Cup winner against Manchester United, that came closest to a winner. The in-form striker struck the bar with a tremendous strike from 20 yards as rock-bottom Southend threatened a win. However, Preston also had chances in an entertaining match, David Nugent's lob and Graham Alexander's drive coming closest, but neither side could score. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southend: Flahavan, Francis, Prior, Sodje, Hammell, Campbell-Ryce (Cole 79), Clarke, Guttridge, Gower, Eastwood, Harrold. Subs Not Used: Wilson, Lawson, Smith, Moussa. Booked: Campbell-Ryce, Prior, Sodje. Preston: Nash, Alexander, St. Ledger, Chilvers, Hill, Sedgwick,McKenna, Pugh, Whaley (Lewis Neal 76), Dichio (Agyemang 61), Nugent (Ormerod 83). Subs Not Used: Chris Neal, Wilson. Booked: McKenna, Dichio, Pugh. Att: 9,263 Ref: D Deadman (Cambridgeshire).

McCormack wants to leave Preston
Preston midfielder Alan McCormack has asked to leave Deepdale in a bid to further his career. McCormack has submitted a written transfer request which is being considered by manager Paul Simpson. However, the North End boss says he will not be rushed into making a decision about the 22-year-old. McCormack has made just three substitute appearances this season and may have less chances following the loan signing of Tommy Miller.

Birmingham v Preston
Birmingham have no new injury worries, but will still be without David Dunn, who has a calf injury after suffering a hamstring problem. Damien Johnson will also be sidelined because he is still recovering from a double fracture of the jaw. Preston hope Matt Hill will be available, even though he has been struggling with a hamstring injury for the top of the table clash. Callum Davidson (groin and knee) remains doubtful for the Lilywhites.

Agyemang faces six-week lay-off
Preston striker Patrick Agyemang will be out of action for up to six weeks after scans revealed he has torn the flexor muscle in his right hip. The injury is the same one he suffered to his left hip earlier this season - which has now completely healed. North End boss Paul Simpson told his club's website: \"It is a massive blow. \"At least we know exactly what it is. We will look at how the last injury was treated and hopefully he will recover as well as he did last time.\"

Preston v Plymouth
Preston striker Patrick Agyemang is out for up to six weeks with a groin injury, joining fellow striker Neil Mellor (knee) on the sidelines. Defender Callum Davidson (groin and knee) returned to training but is unlikely to be ready. Plymouth add Paul Connolly (hamstring), Lee Hodges (knee) and Nick Chadwick to a lengthy injury list. Boss Ian Holloway will welcome back defender Hasney Aljofree and midfielder David Norris after one-match bans.

Preston 1-0 Colchester
Preston moved into second place in the Championship table after Davud Nugent scored the only goal of the game to secure victory over Colchester. Nugent struck from close range, converting a knock-down from striker partner Danny Dichio. Colchester striker Jamie Cureton headed straight at Carlo Nash early in the second half and saw another effort blocked by Graham Alexander. Colchester keeper Dean Gerken made saves to deny Dichio and Nugent. Preston: Nash, Alexander, St. Ledger, Chilvers, Hill, Whaley (Lewis Neal 86), Sedgwick, McKenna, Pugh, Nugent (Wilson 90), Dichio (Miller 76). Subs Not Used: Lonergan, Davidson. Booked: Nugent, Alexander. Goals: Nugent 33. Colchester: Gerken, Halford, Brown, Baldwin, Barker, Watson, Duguid (Jackson 5), Izzet (Ephraim 72), Garcia, Cureton, Iwelumo (Guy 46). Subs Not Used: Davison, White. Booked: Guy. Att: 14,225 Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).

West Brom 4-2 Preston
Substitute Nathan Ellington scored twice as West Brom beat 10-man Preston. Jason Koumas curled home from the edge of the area and Diomansy Kamara gave Albion a 2-0 lead from inside the box. Graham Alexander pulled one back from the spot - after Jonathan Greening fouled Sean St Ledger - but Daniele Dichio was sent off for an elbow. Preston equalised through a David Nugent strike but Carlo Nash could not keep out Ellington's free-kick and the striker headed in a fourth late on. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Brom manager on two-goal hero Nathan Ellington: \"I am delighted for Nathan as he stays on the training ground to work on his finishing. \"I know the first goal had a helping hand from the goalkeeper but he has got his rewards for the work that he has been putting in. \"He has got a big part to play here. He will get better and he is the kind of player who believes that he will score every time that he plays.\" Preston manager Paul Simpson: \"They were disappointing goals to concede. I know that Carlo Nash will take some stick for his mistake but these things happen and he has been a different class for us this season. \"It was a freaky goal and we have to accept it. \"We had done really well to get back to 2-2 and we deserved something from the game at that stage. \"It is no shame losing to Albion as I believe they will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Brom: Hoult, Albrechtsen, McShane, Davies, Robinson, Kamara, Greening, Carter (Ellington 71), Koumas, Phillips (Chaplow 86), Hartson (Quashie 60). Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Perry. Booked: Phillips, Quashie. Goals: Koumas 6, Kamara 25, Ellington 75, 87. Preston: Nash, Alexander, St. Ledger, Chilvers, Hill, Whaley (Miller 38), McKenna (Wilson 68), Sedgwick, Pugh (Ormerod 83), Nugent, Dichio. Subs Not Used: Lonergan, Lewis Neal. Sent Off: Dichio (41). Booked: Nugent, Alexander. Goals: Alexander 35 pen, Nugent 67. Att: 22,905. Ref: S Mathieson (Cheshire).

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