The words Brighton win at Deepdale have never been heard, the clubs first met in the league in 1908 and Albion have still to register their first victory at North End's home. Including today it is now five visits since they scored at Deepdale although they got two today but both were disallowed.
Although goalless this was far from dull, both teams gave as good as they got with North End probably deserving to win but neither side overly troubled the opposite keeper. An early Reach effort went narrowly wide for the home side before Brighton took and early grip on the game with Murphy firing narrowly over the top before a Knockaert free kick troubled the Albion fans behind the net. Once North End upped their tempo it looked a better game, North End probably should have done better when Browne won the ball in midfield, advanced towards the edge of the Albion fed the ball to Woods who dallied too long on the ball and the chance was lost, North End had to be wary Albion played some neat football but just lacked a cutting edge in front of goal. The game started to simmer away thanks to some odd refereeing by Mr Heywood. All square at half time interestingly poised.
The second half started with a brief bit of Albion pressure before North End became dominant, the home side were unlucky when Reach caused mayhem doen the left wing before putting in a cross which eventually fell too the feet of Woods, his shot was tipped onto the underside of the bar by Stockdale and cleared too safety. Albion were nearly gifted a goal when Gallagher stray pass found an Albion player who fed the ball to Murphy who was in a good position, but his shot was saved by Kirkland who saved well on his league debut for North End.
Then possibly the strangest decision by a referee I've seen in a long time, Garner and Goldson go for a header, Goldson elbows Garner then goes down screaming in pain, play carries on and Reach puts cross into the Albion area when said referee stops play for an apparent head injury, amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!
Credit to Albion all Hughton's substitutions were positive and they thought they had sneaked a late winner following Kirkland's mistake, luckily an Albion player was offside as the ball hit the net.
Albion will be happy with the result keeps them in the mix at the top of the league, North End still six points from the play offs, still all too play for, interesting to note we have played five of the top six at Deepdale and only Derby have scored against us.
Preston North End 0 Brighton and Hove Albion 0 Att 11881
Although goalless this was far from dull, both teams gave as good as they got with North End probably deserving to win but neither side overly troubled the opposite keeper. An early Reach effort went narrowly wide for the home side before Brighton took and early grip on the game with Murphy firing narrowly over the top before a Knockaert free kick troubled the Albion fans behind the net. Once North End upped their tempo it looked a better game, North End probably should have done better when Browne won the ball in midfield, advanced towards the edge of the Albion fed the ball to Woods who dallied too long on the ball and the chance was lost, North End had to be wary Albion played some neat football but just lacked a cutting edge in front of goal. The game started to simmer away thanks to some odd refereeing by Mr Heywood. All square at half time interestingly poised.
The second half started with a brief bit of Albion pressure before North End became dominant, the home side were unlucky when Reach caused mayhem doen the left wing before putting in a cross which eventually fell too the feet of Woods, his shot was tipped onto the underside of the bar by Stockdale and cleared too safety. Albion were nearly gifted a goal when Gallagher stray pass found an Albion player who fed the ball to Murphy who was in a good position, but his shot was saved by Kirkland who saved well on his league debut for North End.
Then possibly the strangest decision by a referee I've seen in a long time, Garner and Goldson go for a header, Goldson elbows Garner then goes down screaming in pain, play carries on and Reach puts cross into the Albion area when said referee stops play for an apparent head injury, amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!
Credit to Albion all Hughton's substitutions were positive and they thought they had sneaked a late winner following Kirkland's mistake, luckily an Albion player was offside as the ball hit the net.
Albion will be happy with the result keeps them in the mix at the top of the league, North End still six points from the play offs, still all too play for, interesting to note we have played five of the top six at Deepdale and only Derby have scored against us.
Preston North End 0 Brighton and Hove Albion 0 Att 11881
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