Unlike the men's team the ladies had very little to celebrate having to return from Worksop, the new home ground of Sheffield Wednesday, following a 2-0 defeat.

A Tanya Rich brace, with a goal in each half, separated the two sides. The game was expected to be close affair with Preston having won the two previous encounters this season. The first victory was in a penalty shoot out in the FA Cup and the second by the narrowest of margins 4-3 in the corresponding league fixture.

Sheffield's new premises provided much improved facilities and it was the home side who dominated the opening period with North End going behind in the opening five minutes. Owls striker Rich shot from some distance out into the top corner giving North End keeper Danielle Gibbons no chance.

A Lucy Smith free kick was cleared with Rich then shooting over before Hannah Bailey had Preston's first opportunity cutting inside and shooting on target. Gemma Watson then produced a shot on target with Sarah Jones in the North End back line then timing her tackle to prevent Rachel Skeemer being through on goal.

The end to end action continued with Mel Martin for the visitors seeing her free kick punched wide by Danniella Maslin. The subsequent Laura Walker corner produced a shot on target by Alison Taberner. Skeemer for the Owls then shot wide. Just after the half hour mark Sheffield were fortunate to clear after somewhat of a goal mouth scramble. Both teams had further opportunities with Bailey and Rich shooting wide but the Owls were to maintain their 1-0 advantage going into the interval.

Into the second half Maslin in the home goal saved well from Watson but the visitors were unable to capitalise on the following corner. Bailey and Skeemer then produced shots for their respective teams with Watson then forcing Maslin to clear again for a corner. Preston continued in search of an elusive equaliser but were unable to find and it was Rich for the Owls who came closest to obtaining a goal in the 65th minute when she forced Gibbons to clear with her feet for a corner. But a couple of minutes later however Rich did obtain her second of the game a shot across Gibbons ending up in the back of the net.

With just over 20 minutes to play both managers made substitutions, Preston manager Chris Stammers replacing Bailey with Louise Belcher and Duke for the home side replacing Charlotte Spencer and Bridie Hannon with Lucy Foreman and Tania Marsden. Marsden was soon involved in the action when latching on to a ball over the top but shooting over.

Stammers then made a double substitution with Watson and Laura Walker making way for Sam Cadwallader and Linny Craig but a goal to get a foot back into the game was not forthcoming with Martin coming nearest with her shot over the bar.

In separate incidents Wednesday's Christina Skull and North End's Taberner found their names in the referee's notebook with Smith's free kick following Taberner's booking being gathered by Gibbons. This was to be the last notable action of the game with North End having to return home defeated.

Manager Stammers was disappointed with the result after a somewhat lacklustre performance by his side. The chance to return to winning ways will be afforded with next weeks visit to Newcastle where the reserves side will also be in action with their last fixture of the 2008/2009 campaign. Both Lilywhites teams have now secured their current league status. Neither is able to advance further up the league but will still be aiming for maximum points on their visit to the north east.

PNE: Danielle Gibbons, Alison Taberner, Sarah Jones, Abbie Blackett, Vikki Eastwood, Mel Martin, Louise Cafferkey (Capt), Laura Walker, Sarah Walker, Gemma Watson, Hannah Bailey. Subs: Louise Belcher, Mel Bartley, Linny Craig, Alice Forshaw, Sam Cadwallader.

Sheffield Wednesday: Danniella Maslin, Leanne Severns (Capt), Lucy Smith, Charlotte Spencer, Sarah Hobson, Leanne De-Silva, Rachel Skeemer, Tanya Rich, Beth Gingell, Bridie Hannon, Christina Skull. Subs: Tania Marsden, Olivia Murray, Laura Windle, Lucy Foreman, Mel Sherwood.

Referee: John Drew.

Assistants: John Nicolson and Aaron Stephenson.