Ten man Preston North End lost 2-1 against Yeovil Town on Saturday afternoon despite a proud and valiant display.

North End played 87 minutes with ten men following Craig Morgan's dismissal in the third minute of play.

The hosts then scored either side of half time through key man Andy Williams but PNE stalwart Clarke Carlisle clawed the visitors back into the game with 17 minutes remaining.

Despite skipper Paul Huntington receiving his marching orders for a serious foul play after a rash tackle on Jamie Proctor, North End's brave efforts unfortunately went uncounted for.

Manager Graham Westley made no changes from his starting line-up that faced Notts County on Tuesday night.

The only change came on the bench which saw new signing Alex Marrow take his seat in place of German striker Juvhel Tsoumou.

The Glovers, under the stewardship of Gary Johnson named a strong line up for the clash against the Lilywhites as they looked for their second home win under the former Bristol City boss in his second spell in charge of the club.

However North End got off to the worst possible start when they were reduced to ten men with only three minutes on referee Oliver Langford's clock.

Yeovil winger Andy Williams went clean through on goal after a smart flick on, clean through on goal Welsh defender Morgan pulled the Glovers number seven to the floor on the edge of the penalty area.

With Morgan been the last man, the referee had no other option but to send him for an early shower as PNE knew they had to play out the final 87 minutes one man down.

From the resulting free-kick, set-piece specialist Dean Parrett tried to inflict more damage on the Lilywhites when he bent the ball round the Preston wall making German giant Thorsten Stuckmann pull out all the stops with a strong left handed save.

The hosts started to put heavy pressure on the back line but Preston weathered the storm and when the opportunity came available brought on centre half Alex Marrow in place of midfielder Adam Barton for tactical purposes.

Lining up in a new 4-4-1 formation, PNE started to settle down after the early set-back with the roaring voice of encouragement from manager Westley and the travelling North End army behind them.

Confidence started to build and skipper Paul Coutts started to lead with example and one of his trademark mazy runs from midfield won the all blacks a free-kick, 20-yards from goal.

Stepping up himself, Coutts took aim for the top left hand corner but unfortunately slipped on approach and sent the ball into the stands.

As time went on Yeovil's numerical advantage began to show as they started to retain possession.

In the 26th minute the hosts were nearly handed a gift when a loose Coutts ball inside his own area allowed dangerous winger Joseph Edwards the chance to play a cutting pass over the top for Andy Williams.

Getting the right side of the Preston defence, Town's talisman hit a first time effort but side footed wide of Stuckmann's right hand post.

Three minutes later and the Glovers goal arrived as Andy Williams made sure he didn't miss the target for a second time in succession.

A diagonal pass from the left to right was picked up by the tricky winger, taking a great first touch Andy Williams went through on goal and cleverly dinked the ball over the outstretched arm of Stuckmann and into the back of the net.

The home side's momentum was building and without a few heroics from fans favourite Stuckmann the Glovers could have gone into the half time interval more than one goal to the good.

A cleverly worked free-kick from the hosts saw Upson swing the ball out to the 35-yard mark to Gavin Williams.

Taking the ball down and aware of Carlisle quickly closing him down, Williams struck a testing shot goal bound.

Looking destined to nestle into the top left hand corner, Stuckmann pulled off an incredible save to tip the ball over the frame of the bar.

Names sake Andy Williams was back it moments later and cutting inside evading the challenge of full back Jamie McAllister, the former Bristol Rovers and Hereford man brought the best once again out of Stuckmann with his curling shot tipped round the post.

North End saw out the remainder of the first half as Yeovil continued to pump the ball into the Lilywhites box, with Westley having his work cut out at half time to turn round his side's fortunes.

The visitors made no changes for the second half as they looked to work their way back into this npower League One contest in Somerset.

Crystal Palace loan man Marrow was proving his credentials at centre half putting in a number of crucial blocks and interceptions, looking a worthy addition to the squad at Deepdale.

Midfielder Coutts picked up a yellow card in the 55th minute of play at Huish Park, his tenth booking of the season, meaning he will miss the Lilywhites next two games against Brentford and Tranmere Rovers.

In the 62nd minute, the hosts doubled their lead giving Preston an uphill battle if they are to head back to Lancashire with anything to show for their efforts.

Like their first goal, Town played a diagonal pass but this time from right to left, as Parrett noticed the forward run of Gavin Williams.

Catching David Gray out, Gavin Williams threaded the ball into the box for Andrew Williams to stroke home his second of the afternoon.

Soon after North End made their second change of the afternoon, Gray picking up an injury and having to come off in place of fellow full back Steven Smith.

The reshuffle at the back saw Smith move to left back, McAllister join Carlisle at centre half and Marrow play at right back, the position vacated by Gray.

Showing hints of promising attacking play, North End continued to battle hard as they looked for a way back into the game.

In the 73rd minute Preston threw themselves a lifeline when defender Carlisle scored the first goal under Westley's reign.

After been awarded a free-kick inside their own half, substitute Smith quickly played the ball to Stuckmann who immediately passed the ball back to the Scottish defender.

Smith launched the ball forward and powerful number nine Proctor beat Glovers skipper Paul Huntington in the air to flick the ball on for Parry on the left hand side.

With Carlisle in an advanced position inside the Yeovil penalty area, Parry swung a deep cross to the back post for the Prestonian to smash a lower header into the back of the net to the delight of the away following.

Starting to dictate play at Huish Park, PNE went on the attack and a desired equaliser against the Glovers, a valiant effort by the ten men from Lancashire.

The home side joined Preston on ten men when defender Huntington went in with a terrible tackle from behind on youngster Proctor sparking an immediate reaction from the youngster.

Referee Langton had no other option but to send the skipper off.

Preston pushed forward and gave it their all for an equaliser, with even shot stopper Stuckmann coming up for two corner kicks.

But their valiant efforts came to no avail as the hosts held on for the win, but Preston can take pride from the performance.