Garner earns Grayson praise

Simon Grayson hailed the goalscoring return of Joe Garner as the striker's brace secured Preston a 2-0 win over 10-man Chesterfield.

The home side had defender Sam Hird sent off for pulling back Garner after just three minutes and the Lilywhites took full advantage to keep their hopes of automatic promotion alive. Garner, on his first start since November after being sidelined with a shin injury, headed in former Chesterfield striker Kevin Davies' cross on the half-hour mark before adding a second 11 minutes from time. It earned Preston a first away win since December 20th and set them up nicely for next week's fifth-round FA Cup tie against Manchester United. "It was fantastic to see the return of Joe and he scores two goals," said Grayson. "He's trained in the last week as though he's never been away and we've made sure we've taken it easy with him. "We guided him back in with 10 minutes against Sheffield United and half an hour or so against Coventry and we felt tonight was the perfect opportunity. He was itching to play and I said go and play as long as you can and see where it takes you. "He was gutted when I took him off because he wanted a hat-trick like all strikers do but you could see what he's got, his movement and obviously he scores the goals. "But we knew we had to be at it because they are a good team and if we were off the mark tonight we would have got beat. Full credit to the players, I said to them it was how they focused on the game because teams can have one eye on the cup tie coming up on Monday but they've kept the focus and we said let's get the momentum going." Preston can now look forward to the cup tie and Grayson said: "We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. It's a massive profile for the club and hopefully we will do ourselves justice." Chesterfield manager Paul Cook was pleased with the way his players responded to losing Hird so early. "Our lads stuck at it extremely well but we have to respect Preston with the quality they have and when you are down to 10 men for so long it was always going to be an uphill battle," he said. "It wasn't our night but Preston have played well and it's a great result for them. They are a very strong side and Garner up front is a top-class player but the lads gave everything as they always do but once the second goal goes in it takes that bit of wind out of you. "I can't fault the players for their effort and application and it was a difficult night for us when you play that long with 10 men and that's probably the disappointing thing that as a contest it was over so quickly."