PRESTON NORTH END 0 WALSALL 0, Sep 13

THE rainbow which lit up the sky above Deepdale prior to the match didn't have a crock of gold at the end of it for Preston and by full time it had turned into a black cloud.

Preston were expected to win, but they struggled down one cul-de-sac after another trying to break down a well organised Walsall defence.

Yet, it all started so brightly with Lee Cartwright's electric pace proving too much for Darren Rogers and North End looked sharp.

Cartwright swept down the right to the ball line and put in a cross which only needed the head of Nogan or Reeves but Mountfield got there first to head clear.

Appleton then set up Reeves for a clear shot at goal but his effort went eight yards wide.

Walsall started to push the ball around and Hodge cut inside to the corner of the box and then hit a low drive that Mollanen saved at full stretch.

Preston brought on Macken for Nogan and almost with his first touch Macken hit a powerful drive that was on its way inside the post until Walker's spectacular leap across goal saw him get a glove to the ball to turn it around the post.

Cartwright set up another excellent chance when he played a lovely low ball into the six-yard box, Macken was onto in a flash and as the Town end got ready to celebrate a goal Walker got his body in the way to keep the ball out.

That was Preston's last chance as Walsall shut up shop and settled for the point that they came for and North End's 100 per cent home record was in tatters.

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