Match ends, Huddersfield Town 1, Preston North End 0.
HuddersfieldHuddersfield Town1PrestonPreston North End0
An own goal from Preston North End's Sepp van den Berg gave Huddersfield Town their first Championship win of the season.
The defender, on a season's loan from Liverpool, diverted the ball into his own net in the 74th minute in trying to cut out a pass intended for Terriers substitute Duane Holmes.
Sorba Thomas then went close to a second when he hit the inside of the post.
The loss means Preston stay bottom of the table after three straight defeats.
Manager Frankie McAvoy made four changes to the team that lost 2-1 at Reading on Saturday as Preston searched for their first points - and they were better in the first half.
But nobody managed more than seven goals for them last season and that lack of a cutting edge was again apparent.
Daniel Johnson curled wide and Ched Evans volleyed over before the striker saw his effort cleared off the line by Town defender Naby Sarr.
Carlos Corberan's side had not won any of their previous eight home games - stretching back to February - and had been hammered 5-1 by Fulham on Saturday.
They did not manage a single shot on target until the gift from Netherlands Under-19 international Van den Berg.
Thomas then hit the post as the hosts tried to settle the outcome.
But goalkeeper Lee Nicholls gave them a scare in injury time when he came flying to the edge of his box and flapped at a cross, but he and Huddersfield hung on.
Huddersfield head coach Carlos Corberan said:
"That was clearly a necessary win. I must praise the spirit of the team. We lost [Matty] Pearson and then [Danny] Ward, who felt unwell, so all three subs were necessary.
"We didn't make many mistakes and we defended strongly to get the three points.
"Defeats like the one against Fulham can create insecurity in players, so it was important to play tonight without mistakes. We suffered together to keep the key clean sheet."
Preston manager Frankie McAvoy said:
"Their coach said defensively we were so difficult to play against and I'm gobsmacked we have lost that game to be honest.
"I knew the game was there for us to try and win and we were trying to get Emil [Riis Jakobsen] on and they went and got the goal, which is frustrating.
"The disappointing thing is we didn't work the goalkeeper enough when we were on top. I'm just so disappointed we have sent the fans home with nothing. They didn't deserve that. Football can be cruel at times."
Line-ups
Huddersfield
Formation 3-5-2
- 21NichollsBooked at 80mins
- 32LeesSubstituted forVallejo Mínguezat 76'minutes
- 23SarrBooked at 68mins
- 26Samuels Colwill
- 20Turton
- 15High
- 6Hogg
- 8O'BrienSubstituted forHolmesat 70'minutes
- 16Thomas
- 10Koroma
- 25WardSubstituted forCampbellat 45'minutesBooked at 56mins
Substitutes
- 5Vallejo Mínguez
- 9Rhodes
- 11Aarons
- 19Holmes
- 22Campbell
- 24Sinani
- 31Schofield
Preston
Formation 3-5-2
- 12Iversen
- 14Storey
- 6LindsayBooked at 41mins
- 16Hughes
- 2van den Berg
- 11Johnson
- 4WhitemanBooked at 64mins
- 8Browne
- 32EarlSubstituted forMaguireat 88'minutes
- 9EvansSubstituted forSinclairat 82'minutes
- 44PottsSubstituted forRiis Jakobsenat 75'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Rudd
- 3Cunningham
- 5Bauer
- 18Ledson
- 19Riis Jakobsen
- 24Maguire
- 31Sinclair
- Referee:
- James Linington
- Attendance:
- 15,278
Match Stats
Home TeamHuddersfieldAway TeamPreston
- Possession
- Home47%
- Away53%
- Shots
- Home7
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home0
- Away2
- Corners
- Home4
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away7
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Huddersfield Town 1, Preston North End 0.
Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Sean Maguire replaces Joshua Earl.
Post update
Corner, Huddersfield Town. Conceded by Joshua Earl.
Post update
Foul by Sepp van den Berg (Preston North End).
Post update
Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Josh Koroma (Huddersfield Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Fraizer Campbell.
Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Scott Sinclair replaces Ched Evans.
Post update
Foul by Duane Holmes (Huddersfield Town).
Post update
Alan Browne (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield Town) hits the right post with a right footed shot from the left side of the box. Assisted by Álex Vallejo.
Booking
Lee Nicholls (Huddersfield Town) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Offside, Preston North End. Andrew Hughes tries a through ball, but Emil Riis Jakobsen is caught offside.
Post update
Offside, Huddersfield Town. Lee Nicholls tries a through ball, but Fraizer Campbell is caught offside.
Post update
Offside, Preston North End. Jordan Storey tries a through ball, but Ched Evans is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Huddersfield Town. Álex Vallejo replaces Tom Lees.
Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Emil Riis Jakobsen replaces Brad Potts.
Goal!
Own Goal by Sepp van den Berg, Preston North End. Huddersfield Town 1, Preston North End 0.
Post update
Josh Koroma (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Jordan Storey (Preston North End).
Comments
Join the conversation
How bad must Huddersfield be winning by an own goal from PNE
When was the last time a team won a game without a shot on goal.
Those poor fans in attendance.
Ya know what I mean !
Prestone (as in Bastogne, aka battle of the bulge) are a very poor side
At least you’ve got a decent bus station
Ay up, wardens here, I’ll have to dash!
Toodle pip
At least wear some Town kit on the touchline Carlos instead of dressed like you’re dashing off to the pub immediately after the game !
Spinnin' wheel, got to go round
Talkin' 'bout your troubles, it's a cryin' sin
Ride a painted pony, let the spinnin' wheel spin
Wonderful they have got such attachment to their RCX roots even through such football symbols.
Come on Preston. You should be aiming for playoffs.
Btw, Johnson must be playing his 20th season for Preston.