Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Preston North End 0.
WolvesWolverhampton Wanderers2PrestonPreston North End0
Teenager Lee Evans scored his first goal since August as Wolves overcame promotion rivals Preston at Molineux.
After early pressure from the home side, Dave Edwards slotted under keeper Declan Rudd to put them in front.
Joe Garner almost levelled when his curling shot struck the crossbar, but Evans doubled the lead after Rudd had saved James Henry's initial effort.
Paul Gallagher forced a good save from Aaron McCarey, but Preston's hopes of a fourth successive win came to nothing.
The victory was only the second in eight games for Wolves, who remained in third place, only two points behind Leyton Orient and three adrift of leaders Brentford.
And 19-year-old Evans' goal in his first start since November justified manager Kenny Jackett's decision to restore him to the team.
Despite the result, Preston held onto fourth, five points behind Wolves, but six clear of Rotherham, leaving them well-placed to push for at least a play-off place in the remainder of the season.
Line-ups
Wolves
Formation 4-5-1
- 31McCarey
- 18Ricketts
- 26Golbourne
- 4EdwardsSubstituted forDavisat 63'minutes
- 5Stearman
- 6Batth
- 7Henry
- 14EvansSubstituted forElokobiat 89'minutes
- 9GriffithsBooked at 27minsSubstituted forMcAlindenat 70'minutes
- 27Jacobs
- 11McDonald
Substitutes
- 1Hennessey
- 3Elokobi
- 8Davis
- 10Sako
- 16Cassidy
- 20McAlinden
- 29Doyle
Preston
Formation 4-4-2
- 23Rudd
- 5Clarke
- 16BuchananBooked at 89mins
- 19WelshBooked at 62minsSubstituted forBrownhillat 71'minutes
- 22King
- 6Wright
- 11HolmesSubstituted forWisemanat 60'minutes
- 37KilkennyBooked at 54mins
- 27HumeSubstituted forDaviesat 60'minutes
- 14Garner
- 12Gallagher
Substitutes
- 1Stuckmann
- 2Keane
- 3Laird
- 7Humphrey
- 9Davies
- 30Brownhill
- 32Wiseman
- Referee:
- Scott Mathieson
- Attendance:
- 20,434
Match Stats
Home TeamWolvesAway TeamPreston
- Possession
- Home41%
- Away59%
- Shots
- Home20
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home8
- Away1
- Corners
- Home1
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home16
- Away9
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Preston North End 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. James Henry (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
Post update
Attempt saved. James Henry (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Substitution
Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. George Elokobi replaces Lee Evans.
Post update
Michael Jacobs (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by David Buchanan (Preston North End).
Post update
Foul by Lee Evans (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Post update
Josh Brownhill (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by James Henry (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Post update
David Buchanan (Preston North End) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Richard Stearman (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Joe Garner (Preston North End).
Post update
Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Sam Ricketts.
Post update
Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Kevin McDonald.
Post update
Foul by Kevin McDonald (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Post update
Neil Kilkenny (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt saved. Liam McAlinden (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Post update
Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Aaron McCarey.
Post update
Attempt saved. Paul Gallagher (Preston North End) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
