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I arrived at Bamber Bridge tonight expecting a very tough game. Preston have started the season with a bang whilst the injury hit Clarets have struggled until recording that first win at Port Vale on Saturday.
Preston were considered very much the favourites for this one and they started well. A couple of half chances came their way but with Danny McDonald in good form in goal they weren't able to take advantage.
We seemed to grow in confidence and came more and more into the game and on 19 minutes we went in front. Preston had just had a penalty claim turned away and from that we got clear. Liam Newman, playing in an unfamiliar left win berth, got in a cross that was converted by Dom Knowles.
And it was nearly 2-0 a minute later when Michael King turned really well on the edge of the box only to see his effort turned wide by the keeper.
The closest Preston came to an equaliser was after a scramble in the box that ended with Steve Edwards heading off the line. More good work from McDonald followed but we then comfortably reached half time with that 1-0 lead.
Preston were out much earlier for the second half and they were very much ready. They had their best spell of the match and in the first twelve minutes of the half created three good chances. They hit two wide but just nine minutes into the half they broke down the right and gave Danny no hope with a powerful shot.
You sensed this was going to be difficult for us and for a while it was, but we hung in and seemed to have seen off the threat when they got what we thought might be the winner with just 12 minutes to go.
Burnley made three substitutions and we put Preston under a bit of pressure, but an equaliser didn't look likely until we won a free kick some 25 yards from goal for a foul on Newman. Joe McKee, our new recruit from Scotland, hit the free kick into the top corner to take the game into extra time.
The first period was goalless but by now it was Burnley looking the more likely and with any luck we might have gone in front. Then, early in the second half of extra time, disaster struck when Preston got what proved to be the winner.
We threw everything at them but couldn't just find that third goal that would have seen us in a penalty shoot out. Twice it could have been worse as they caught us on the break but another goal for Preston would have been so unfair.
So we're out but there was so much to enjoy in this performance and the lads can take so much confidence into the league games after this performance against this Preston side which has started the season so well.
Next game for the Clarets is this Saturday against Accrington Stanley at Gawthorpe.
Tonight's teams were;
Preston: Ben Proctor, Scott Leather, Sam Hart, George Miller, Fred Holtom, Daniel Devine, Tom Owens, Scott Davidson, Ryan McGreevy, Jamie Proctor, Neil Dougan. Subs: Ryan Hall, Jordan Watson, Seanan Clucas, Jamie Douglas, Michael McLellan.
Burnley: Danny McDonald, Ed Williams, Curtis Woods, Steve Edwards (Tom Anderson 85), Jake McEneaney, Joe Jackson (James Taylor 83), Joe McKee, Oliver Devenney (Ross Wilson 82), Michael King, Liam Newman, Dom Knowles. Subs not used: Christian Paulat-Brigg, Dave Lynch.