Preston North End's struggles deepened with a 1-0 home defeat to Lincoln City at Deepdale on Saturday. Freddie Draper's late strike condemned Paul Heckingbottom's side to a fourth loss in five games, leaving them bottom of the Championship.
The only goal arrived with nine minutes remaining. Andrei Coubiș found space on the left and delivered a low cross that Draper, who had come off the bench just after the hour, turned home from close range. It was a cruel blow for a Preston side that had dominated possession and created numerous set-piece opportunities.
Heckingbottom had set his team up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Stanley Mills and Harry Clarke operating on the flanks. The hosts controlled 52% of the ball and forced a remarkable 16 corners, but they failed to seriously test Lincoln goalkeeper George Wickens with only three of their 11 shots on target. At the other end, Daniel Iversen was equally underworked, making two saves.
The game's first booking went to Preston's Harry Clarke for a foul in the 54th minute. Heckingbottom made a triple substitution ten minutes later, introducing Leo Leroy, Jusef Erabi and Delano Burgzorg in search of a spark, but the decisive moment went against them.
Heckingbottom's reaction
Speaking after the match, the Preston manager acknowledged the growing pressure. "We had the territory and the set-plays but lacked the final touch," Heckingbottom said. "The table doesn't lie and we have to be better, quickly."
The result leaves Preston 24th in the Championship, with only three points from their opening six matches. Their goal difference has worsened to minus six after conceding for the 12th time this season.
Attention now turns to a tough trip to face high-flying Queens Park Rangers next Saturday. QPR, who sit fourth, will provide another stern test for a Preston side desperate to stop the rot. The full schedule ahead is on our fixtures page.
