PNE were made to suffer late heartache as Aston Villa came from behind to steal all three points at Sutton Coldfield FC.
North End travelled to the Midlands in a confident mood following last week's cup victory against Brighton And Hove Albion, and started strongly with Louise Cafferkey having the first shot on target. This was followed by an opportunity for Sam Cadwallader who just missed out on latching onto a Laura Walker through ball. Anisha Bateman then played a ball over the top for Cadwallader who played it across the box but the Villa keeper gathered.
Preston continued to dominate with Cadwallader and Sarah Berry having chances. Their perseverance paid off in the 18th minute when the hard working Cadwallader played the ball through for her strike partner Gemma Watson who finished expertly across the keeper into the bottom corner.
Villa then had a spell of possession but North End defended well. On the half hour mark Cadwallader's persistence enabled her to play the ball to Berry who in turn passed through to Walker who when through on goal was adjudged offside.
The half finished with North End maintaining their 1-0 advantage having limited Villa's opportunities with solid team defending.
Into the second half Watson had the opening opportunity but saw her shot go wide. She then picked up a ball played down the line by Cafferkey and played it in for Cadwallader but the alert Villa keeper gathered.
At the other end Villa were awarded a corner which was delivered well and headed against the crossbar. On the hour mark in an attempt to get back into the game, the Villa manager made a double substitution. The equaliser came but two minutes later. Louise Belcher for Preston defended well to thwart a Villa attack but from the corner conceded they found the back of the net, the corner taker curling in with precision.
In search of another goal to claim the three points, Preston manager Anthony Chattell made a double substitution on 70 minutes with Sarah McCrea and Hannah Bailey replacing Cadwallader and Walker. Further chances fell to the Lilywhites with Eastwood playing a ball through for Cafferkey who was called offside and for Watson who worked space for herself well only for her shot to be blocked by a Villa defender. Chattell then made his final change with Kerry Wareing replacing Cafferkey. Wareing's first touch produced a cross for Bailey who shot just wide.
With just over five minutes remaining Villa took the lead somewhat against the run of play. Preston keeper Alison Taberner came out to claim a ball played into the box but when doing so felt she was impeded by the oncoming Villa player who finished well putting the ball beyond her into the back of the net. The goal was, however, to prove decisive and gave the home side all three points with Preston left disappointed that they had not at least obtained a share.
PNE: Alison Tabener, Anisha Bateman, Sarah Jones, Louise Belcher, Vikki Eastwood, Laura Walker (sub Hannah Bailey), Sarah Berry, Mel Martin, Louise Cafferkey (sub Kerry Wareing), Gemma Watson, Sam Cadwallader (sub Sarah McCrea).
Next week there is another break from league action with the second round of the Lancashire Cup on the horizon - a home tie against Bolton Wanderers.
