Preston put Uni in trouble

Preston ATHLETIC boss David Bingham said it was vital for his team to get a win against Edinburgh Uni and the  ex-Hearts player was not let down by his players who produced this two-goal victory.

Goals from Sean Martin and Gary McCormack sealed the  vital three points which have lifted Preston away from the relegation zone but left Edinburgh Uni second bottom, having played four more games than bottom club Edinburgh City. In fact, Edinburgh Uni have yet to win a game this season, drawing four and  losing five.

Bingham said: “It was vital for us to get a win and follow on from our important victory against Tynecastle a few weeks ago. Uni are about where we are so it’s important to beat the teams round about you.

“It’s three massive points but I am also happy that we managed to keep a clean sheet. Winning is a habit and, unfortunately for us, so is loosing, but hopefully we can take a lot from the win and build on that.

“The first goal was always going to be important and I am glad we got it. You are never safe at one up so I was delighted when we got the second. We win, loose and concede goals as a team and I hope we can take the fight and attitude into  Saturday’s game.”

Cyrus Moosavi almost put Uni ahead when he broke away from the defence and looked certain to score but his powerful shot was saved well by Liam Robertson. Steven McCormack than tested Uni keeper Liam Valentine with a powerful free kick from the edge of the box which the keeper could only push the ball away.

Preston created a great opportunity on the half hour which saw some good link play releasing Gary McCormack who rounded the keeper, but a terrific blocking challenge by Connor Willaghlam ensured the danger was cleared.

Preston finally broke the deadlock when a ball was played through the middle to Martin who broke away from the defence and, with Valentine coming well out of the box to close the gap, Martin had the simple job of rounding him and slotting the ball into the empty net. Gary McCormack then got on the scoresheet when Mark Cherrie whipped in a free kick and McCormack was left unmarked in the box and his powerful header from close range left Valentine with no chance.

Uni boss Dorian Ogunro said: “It was frustrating, I felt that despite the result we did enough to win the game. We took control for the first half and made around five good chances and we needed to take one to get us going. We began the second half well and created good opportunities but one mistake killed us.

“But even after the goal we got back on with it and did the same again. We are making chances but can’t win. It’s difficult when you play that well and get nothing from it, it’s easy for the boys to think that they are doing something wrong but I couldn’t ask anything else from them. I am confident if we keep playing that well with that work rate we will come good.”

Preston: Robertson, Barr, O’Hara, Cherrie, Foster, Bennett (Morrison 81), Stewart (Inglis 71), Scott, Martin, G McCormack, Strachan (S McCormach 10). Subs: Colquhoun, S McCormack, Inglis, Morrison, Thomson.

Edinburgh Uni: Valentine, Cummings, Rankin, Ward, Main, Willaghlam, Patterson (Kuzmenko 76), Brownie (Regan 76), Gray (Beacher 72), Moosavi, Nikolaids. Subs: Regan, Beacher, Kuzmenko.