Match ends, Preston North End 4, Colchester United 2.
PrestonPreston North End4ColchesterColchester United2
Preston North End fought back to beat a tenacious Colchester United and move into the League One play-off spots.
Rhys Healey put United ahead from close range, but two goals in four minutes from Scott Wiseman and Alan Browne saw Preston lead midway through the half.
Alex Gilbey equalised with a stunning 25-yard strike, but Paul Gallagher's long-range shot restored Preston's lead two minutes after the break.
Chris Humphrey raced onto Gallagher's defence-splitting pass to make it 4-2.
Joe Garner and substitute Callum Robinson hit the woodwork for the hosts and Jones denied Colchester's Freddie Sears, as Preston maintained their unbeaten record at Deepdale this season.
Line-ups
Preston
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Jones
- 4Wiseman
- 5Clarke
- 6Wright
- 16Buchanan
- 31Browne
- 8Kilkenny
- 7HumphreySubstituted forRobinsonat 68'minutes
- 30BrownhillSubstituted forReidat 58'minutes
- 12Gallagher
- 14GarnerSubstituted forRyanat 90+1'minutes
Substitutes
- 17Reid
- 21Stuckmann
- 22King
- 23Huntington
- 24Hayhurst
- 27Robinson
- 33Ryan
Colchester
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Walker
- 20Clohessy
- 26KentBooked at 79mins
- 18EastmanBooked at 43mins
- 3Gordon
- 8Gilbey
- 21Massey
- 24Moncur
- 11Sears
- 19HealeySubstituted forWrightat 65'minutes
- 7Sanchez Watt
Substitutes
- 2Wright
- 6Eastmond
- 12Lewington
- 16Lawrence
- 17Wright
- 27Bonne
- 32Lapslie
- Referee:
- Steve Martin
- Attendance:
- 8,478
Match Stats
Home TeamPrestonAway TeamColchester
- Possession
- Home57%
- Away43%
- Shots
- Home16
- Away13
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away7
- Corners
- Home6
- Away10
- Fouls
- Home7
- Away6
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Preston North End 4, Colchester United 2.
Post update
Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Sean Clohessy.
Post update
Foul by Bailey Wright (Preston North End).
Post update
Freddie Sears (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Kyel Reid (Preston North End) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Jack Ryan replaces Joe Garner.
Post update
Attempt saved. Alex Gilbey (Colchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Corner, Colchester United. Conceded by Jamie Jones.
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Attempt saved. Freddie Sears (Colchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner.
Post update
Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by George Moncur.
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Attempt blocked. Neil Kilkenny (Preston North End) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Attempt saved. Freddie Sears (Colchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Foul by Paul Gallagher (Preston North End).
Post update
Alex Gilbey (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Alan Browne (Preston North End).
Post update
Drey Wright (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Bailey Wright (Preston North End) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Sanchez Watt (Colchester United).
Post update
Corner, Colchester United. Conceded by Alan Browne.
