Irons blow up against PNE
By Patrick Goss. Last Updated: January 1, 1970 1:00am
Preston underlined their play-off credentials with a fine 2-1 win against West Ham at Upton Park.
A crucial error from goalkeeper Stephen Bywater and Tomas Repka's sending off gifted Preston a crucial win, and left the West Ham crowd baying for blood.
David Nugent had opened the scoring, and substitute Patrick Agyemang sealed victory before Bobby Zamora's late consolation.
In truth, The Irons can have very little complaint at the scoreline after once against flattering to deceive.
Chris Sedgewick had been relived when Chris Day stopped him putting through his own net before Bywater's howler gifted North End the opener.
Bywater miscontrolled a through ball, was robbed by Nugent and could only watch as the ball was tapped into the empty net.
Bywater did his best to make amends, and saved well from Sedgwick, but Repka became the second Championship player in 24 hours to see read for a head-butt when he clashed with Brian O'Neil.
With numerical advantage showing, Nugent had an effort ruled out for offside and allowed Bywater to save another good effort despite going past the keeper once. However substitute Agyemang grabbed the crucial second with his first major contribution firing low past Bywater after making his own space in the box.
Zamora did strike late on, volleying home Marlon Harewood's fine cross, but it was too little, too late for West Ham.
Matches
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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 |
Bobby Zamora
Patrick Agyemang
Tomas Repka
David Nugent
