Preston's women displayed an encouraging performance against Lincoln City on Sunday but were unfortunate to lose 4-2 to the Northern Division league leaders at the QED Stadium.
Chris Stammers' side made a disappointing start to the game after Lincoln striker Amanda Barr scored in the first minute of play, with Jodie Michalska doubling their lead soon after.
As in the first half, Barr scored in the opening minute of the second half to give the visitors a comfortable lead.
But North End quickly replied with two goals from Hannah Bailey, only for Michalska to score her second just before the hour mark to put the game out of sight.
Preston started the game poorly when Barr was able to capitalise on a mix up in North End's defence and give the league leaders an early lead.
As like last week against Newcastle, the Lilywhites reacted positively to conceding an early goal with Bailey and Gemma Watson both seeing their early efforts just miss the target.
But again as like last week, North End weren't able to make the most of their dominance and conceded a second goal in the 14th minute from a set piece against the run of play. Kerry Smith floated her corner into a packed penalty area where the ball dropped to Michalska who fired the ball in from inside the six yard box.
This goal gave Lincoln renewed confidence and they were unlucky not to extend their lead in the 23rd minute when Barr played a clever one-two with Carla Ward, but her dipping shot hit the underside of the crossbar.
PNE's best chance of the half fell in the 39th minute when Alison Taberner's free kick from more than thirty yards out beat Kay Hawke in Lincoln's goal, only to crash offthe crossbar.
The second half started in the same way to the first after Megan Harris' cross found Barr in the penalty area who smashed the ball into the top corner to give Lincoln a comfortable 3-0 lead.
However this lead was made less comfortable a minute later when Watson's long range effort was spilled by Hawke and fell into the path of Bailey, who was on hand to slot the ball into an empty net.
Confidence had been restored throughout the Preston team and in the 56th minute, Bailey scored her second and rewarded her team mates for their hard fought performance. Watson's through ball found Linny Craig who knocked the ball across the face of the goal to find Bailey who tapped in her and Preston's second goal.
Stammers' side showed more cutting edge in front of goal in this game but occasionally looked vulnerable in defence and any dreams of staging a comeback were dashed a minute after Bailey's second goal. Michalska was able to bag her brace when she took on a couple of Preston defenders on the edge of the penalty area and dragged her shot across Danielle Gibbons to find the bottom corner and restore her side's healthy lead.
Following this goal, Preston continued to press and dominate play in the middle of the park but were just unable to apply any finishing touches.
North End's best chance to grab a third goal came in the 78th minute after substitute Anisha Bateman's floated ball found Laura Walker whose shot was cleared off the line.
After the game, Stammers seemed more optimistic, feeling his side had performed much better in the second half.
PNE: Danielle Gibbons, Alison Taberner, Sarah Jones, Mel Martin, Gemma Watson, Hannah Bailey, Sarah Berry, Laura Walker (Louise Cafferkey, 79), Louise Belcher (Anisha Bateman, 64), Linny Craig (Sam Cadwallader, 79), Vikki Eastwood. Unused Subs: Sarah Walker, Abby Blackett.
Lincoln City: Kay Hawke, Shelly Futter (Katie Durrands, 79), Kate Wooldridge, Leandra Little, Megan Harris, Jodie Michalska, Sophie Barker, Kerry Smith, Carla Ward (Melissa Cook, 64), Sophie Wallis, Amanda Barr. Unused Sub: Grace John.
Report by Treve Whitford. Photos by pne-invincibles.com.
