Preston move into top six
By Andy Clarke. Last Updated: January 1, 1970 1:00am
Preston North End moved back into the play-off places with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over struggling Coventry City at Deepdale.
Micky Adams' side took an early lead through Claus Jorgensen, but goals from Graham Alexander, Richard Cresswell and Chris Lucketti put Preston in command before Gary McSheffrey's strike forced them to hold on.
Coventry were ahead after 14 minutes when Jorgensen headed in Michael Doyle's cross from the left, but Preston quickly drew level when Alexander fired in from the penalty spot after Adie Williams tripped Matthew Hill.
Almost immediately North End moved ahead as Cresswell brilliantly converted Eddie Lewis' cross and Coventry were restricted to long range shots from Richard Duffy and Jorgensen as they tried to get back into the game.
Preston extended their advantage less than a minute after the interval, Chris Sedgwick curling a free kick into the area for Lucketti to head past Luke Steele.
Coventry gave themselves hope when Jorgensen's corner was turned in by McSheffrey but they missed their only chance to equalise when Graham Barrett headed wide from Stephen Hughes' corner.
Matches
-
npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
Richard Cresswell
Graham Alexander
Gary McSheffrey
Chris Lucketti
Claus Jorgensen
