[themaclad]

PNE 0 LINCOLN 1

And we still can't score

Preston North End got a good workout in the Spanish heat in the first game of pre-season as Lincoln City came out 1-0 winners.

Jovon Makama opened the scoring within just two minutes as he found Freddie Woodman’s far corner and that proved to be the only goal of the game.

PNE had chances to equalise through the likes of Sam Greenwood and Milutin Osmajić, but the League One outfit kept North End at bay.

Playing at Pinatar Arena in scorching conditions and in front of hundreds of travelling supporters in fine voice, Ryan Lowe fielded two different XIs for the two halves.

The game had hardly got going before the Imps took the lead as Makama, on the edge of the araea, cut inside and curled low into the far corner.

Greenwood – playing for North End for the first time – pressed high in the 17th minute and nicked the ball back, and he’d have drawn his side level if it wasn't for a great stop by Jamie Pardington.



Soon after, an overhit cross from a Sean Roughan free-kick had Woodman backtracking, but it came off the top of his crossbar.

At the other end, PNE were looking dangerous from Greenwood’s set pieces, with Liam Lindsay firstly heading over and then seeing another one tipped wide a few minutes later.

Tendayi Darikwa could have given his side a greater lead with the last action of the first half, but he sent his effort wide from close range.

After wholesale outfield changes were made at the break, North End were fortunate not to go two down just before the hour mark, with Ben House unable to capitalise on a defensive mistake.

The best chance of the day for the Lilywhites then came five minutes later as Duane Holmes did extremely well to carry the ball forward and play it wide for Brad Potts, whose cutback towards Osmajić wasn’t quite connected with from six yards.

Lewis Montsma soon probably should have scored for the Imps when he headed over the bar from close range, and that’s where the goalmouth action ended.

Following full-time, the North End squad and management went over to thank the following fans for their incredible support, and captured a photo together as has become tradition for the previous few years.

First half XI: Woodman; Whatmough, Lindsay, Hughes; Seary (T.Mawene, 25), Frøkjær, Whiteman, Greenwood, Pasiek; Stewart, Riis.

Second half XI: Woodman (Pradic, 64); Storey, Bauer, Taylor; Potts, Ledson, Thórdarson, Holmes, Brady; Osmajić, Keane.