Match ends, Preston North End 2, Walsall 1.
PrestonPreston North End2WalsallWalsall1
Keeper Richard O'Donnell's blunder cost Walsall dear as Preston kept up their promotion push with a win at Deepdale.
Paul Downing's innocuous third-minute back pass was missed by O'Donnell and the backtracking keeper failed to stop the ball rolling over the line.
Sam Mantom equalised soon after for the Saddlers from a rebound after his first effort was parried by Declan Rudd.
Bailey Wright then headed home Paul Gallagher's free-kick before Mantom was sent off for a high tackle late on.
Walsall have fallen five points adrift of the play-off zone after a winless run of three defeats in four matches.
Walsall manager Dean Smith told BBC WM:
"The sending off was a strange decision. It was two players going for a ball that was in the air. I felt that Sam actually won the ball and we will certainly consider an appeal.
"Even with 10 men, we gave it everything but we just didn't get the breaks. Neither side deserved to lose but we must now we look for a response against Coventry on Wednesday night.
"We gifted them an early lead but our reaction was excellent, as we levelled straight away.
"We'll come back stronger. I believe in this set of lads. More importantly, they believe in themselves. It's about getting back some momentum. We've had positive runs before and there is no reason why we can't start another."
Line-ups
Preston
Formation 4-4-2
- 23Rudd
- 32Wiseman
- 3Laird
- 2Keane
- 5Clarke
- 6WrightBooked at 57mins
- 7HumphreySubstituted forKingat 90+5'minutes
- 37KilkennySubstituted forBrownhillat 66'minutes
- 17Davies
- 14GarnerBooked at 77minsSubstituted forBeavonat 87'minutes
- 12Gallagher
Substitutes
- 1Stuckmann
- 9Davies
- 10Beavon
- 11Holmes
- 16Buchanan
- 22King
- 30Brownhill
Walsall
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1O'Donnell
- 15ChambersBooked at 25mins
- 14Benning
- 8MantomBooked at 82mins
- 4ButlerBooked at 82mins
- 12Downing
- 29BrandySubstituted forBaxendaleat 66'minutes
- 7Chambers
- 10Westcarr
- 6FeatherstoneSubstituted forSawyersat 66'minutes
- 9LalkovicSubstituted forNgooat 81'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Purkiss
- 16Baxendale
- 22Roberts
- 24Hewitt
- 25Sawyers
- 26McQuilkin
- 30Ngoo
- Referee:
- Seb Stockbridge
- Attendance:
- 10,034
Match Stats
Home TeamPrestonAway TeamWalsall
- Possession
- Home46%
- Away54%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away4
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away2
- Corners
- Home6
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home17
- Away7
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Preston North End 2, Walsall 1.
Post update
Foul by Andrew Butler (Walsall).
Post update
Tom Clarke (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Jack King replaces Chris Humphrey.
Post update
Attempt saved. James Baxendale (Walsall) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.
Post update
Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Tom Clarke.
Post update
Adam Chambers (Walsall) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Keith Keane (Preston North End).
Post update
Foul by Scott Laird (Preston North End).
Post update
James Baxendale (Walsall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Keith Keane (Preston North End) because of an injury.
Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Stuart Beavon replaces Joe Garner.
Dismissal
Sam Mantom (Walsall) is shown the red card.
Post update
Foul by Sam Mantom (Walsall).
Post update
Joe Garner (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Walsall. Michael Ngoo replaces Milan Lalkovic.
Post update
Attempt missed. Craig Davies (Preston North End) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
