Grayson pleased with the points

Preston boss Simon Grayson kept his complaints in check after North End claimed a 1-0 victory over Barnsley.

On-loan striker Paul Gallagher's coolly taken penalty in the 16th minute, after John Welsh drew a foul in the area, was enough to separate the two teams at Deepdale. North End travel to Crewe on Sunday as the busy festive period continues and Grayson was happy to put his frustrations with the performance to one side, aware the result is more important. "We were good in parts; it wasn't as free flowing a game as we'd have liked but sometimes you have to do whatever it takes to win a game," said Grayson. "We had some very good opportunities and we limited them to few chances, but the chances they did have, we dealt with very well. "We've seen the game through and I'm delighted it's another win because that's six points from six at the start of this testing period. "We've got two clean sheets on the spin too, and while there is still plenty of improvement we need to do, it's ultimately about getting results and winning matches in the football business. "Again, we had some great opportunities to kill it off but thankfully we've done enough and done what we needed to do. "In truth though we've probably played a lot better than that this season but we've won and that's what matters." While Preston are one of three teams level on 44 points, one behind leaders Bristol City, Barnsley dropped to 16th place in the table. But Tykes boss Danny Wilson was far from downbeat. "It was a game that everyone probably tagged us as the underdogs and the whipping boys, but we were anything but," he said. "I thought as far as work ethic and determination goes, we were very good. We got the ball well and hassled a very good side throughout. "There was a fantastic save at the end that kept them in front but overall I can't complain. My only misgiving with us is our passing. "We got in key areas well but were loose with the final ball, which is a bit of a frustration. The chances just fizzled out with the final ball, but overall I won't fault them. "Their work ethic was fantastic, and with the form Preston have been in, I thought we turned in a pretty good performance. "Some of the younger lads can be forgiven, and they will get caught out. However, you want your senior players to come to the fore with the passing, and we were just a bit loose."