Saints dominate the ball but fail to create in defeat at bottom side Preston

Jordan Thompson rifled the Lilywhites ahead after 33 minutes in a dominant first half, and Tonda Eckert's side could not overturn the score.

They toiled throughout the entirety of the second period with an eye-watering 89 per cent possession, but few chances in front of goal to show for it.

It meant Saints missed the opportunity to go into the international break on a high, having taken 14 points from the 21 available since October.

The result leaves Saints seventh in the second tier, inside the play-offs but five points off the top three, after 15 matches have been played.

Although they were comfortable 3-1 victors here in May, Saints have not won consecutive away league games against Preston since 1928/29.

Eckert re-introduced Leo Scienza and Lewis Dobbin to his starting side, while Welington replaced Ryan Manning for three changes in total.

Preston boss Graham Alexander made five changes to his team, including the goalkeeper, following their 3-2 midweek loss to Sheffield United.

Most locals at the Deepdale cannot see a way for North End to survive the drop to League One this season, with just one win in their first 14 games.

They issued an official club statement asking fans not to abuse their own team and staff ahead of the game, such was the mood in Lancashire.

But they started on the front foot, with an aggressive approach deploying five attackers on the Saints defensive line at any given time.

Jack Stephens blocked a certain goal as pressure grew before partner Keven Schlotterbeck was forced off with an apparent shoulder injury.

Medical teams had brought stretchers on for the German, although he was eventually able to walk himself off with the help of two staff members.

Saints struggles continued, and Daniel Peretz was required to make a crucial save after Stephens was dispossessed on the edge of the area.

But he could not stop Thompson's thumping effort from the edge of the area, which deservedly put Preston a goal ahead after 33 minutes.

He capitalised on a sustained North End attack which saw the ball eventually fall to his feet after several blocks and desperate clearances.

Finn Azaz had his side's first shot shortly after, and Scienza had a couple on target to end the half, but none of the attempts were ever going in.

Saints made things even harder for themselves when Peretz was caught trying to shepherd the ball out of play, but he recovered with a slide tackle.

They should have gone 2-0 down within minutes of the restart, but former Saints prodigy Thierry Small lifted over a big chance from inside the area.

Scienza hit the keeper again with chances number three and four for Saints, while Lee Nicholls made a great save to deny Welington from long range.

Azaz had another effort saved, but, ultimately, for all of their possession, Saints failed to properly trouble the Championship strugglers.

Six minutes of added time passed with only Preston going close to a goal, which ensured their third loss came against a bottom-half team once again.

It was only the second time in 35 league matches that Saints had failed to score, following the 0-0 draw with Bolton a few weeks ago.

Preston: Nicholls; Vukcevic (Storey, 88), Lindsay, Devine (Doherty, 70), Lang (Burgzorg, 70), Small, Thompson, Hughes (Nolan, 64), Mills (Wiley, 64), Moran, Offiah.

Unused subs: Iversen, Erabi, Irwin, Potts.

Booked: Mills, Lindsay, Hughes, Small, Nolan.

Saints: Peretz; Bree (Edozie, 75), Stephens, Schlotterbeck (Abbott, 11), Welington (Manning, 75); Ward-Prowse, Downes, Matsuki, Azaz, Scienza; Dobbin (Mubama, 79).

Unused subs: Long, Roerslev, Williams, Bragg, Fellows.

Referee: Tom Nield.