An early goal at Deepdale proved enough to hand Preston North End all three points against Wigan Athletic on Friday night.
In front of the Sky Sports cameras, the hosts made a bright start and went in front in the seventh minute — although the goal arrived in slightly fortuitous circumstances.Aiden McGeady’s effort from the edge box was heading wide, but the ball deflected off the inside of Jordan Hugill’s leg, wrong-footed Adam Bogdan and nestled into the back of the net.
Wigan quickly settled into the game after that and dominated the first half, without really creating a clear cut opportunity. After the break, the Lilywhites were back in control and Bogdan had to produce a fine save to deny Hugill a second just moments after the sides re-entered the fray.
The closest the Latics came to an equaliser arrived just after an hour, when Nathan Byrne saw his original effort saved by Chris Maxwell, and his follow-up clip the outside of the post.
Simon Grayson’s outfit comfortably saw the game out from that point on, climbing one place up the Sky Bet Championship table ahead of the Saturday schedule.
Table: Click here to see the Sky Bet Championship table