Preston North End youths' unbeaten run came to an abrupt end after a disappointing 3-1 defeat away to Walsall.
Walsall midfielder Tom Overfield put the Saddlers ahead on 20 minutes with a curling shot from the edge of the penalty area. Overfield then doubled his tally, running at the Preston defence with pace and firing a tame shot which trickled through 'keeper Dominic Comrie's hands and into the back of the net.
The home side then put the game beyond doubt on the hour mark when Jamie Patterson found a gap in the back four and stroked the ball past the Preston goalkeeper.
Preston found a consolation goal in injury time when debutant Luke Clark crossed to an unmarked Jamie Proctor in the area, who turned and shot skilfully into the corner of the net.
The visitors started well and almost opened the scoring inside ten minutes after Ryan Hall picked up a careless Walsall free kick and took the ball down the right, before centring to Jamie Proctor who fired wide.
The Saddlers soon began to pile on the pressure, forcing centre-back Daniel Devine to make a superb last-ditch challenge on Jamie Patterson after a smart passing move with George Bowerman. Devine was called into action again seconds later, blocking a shot from Bowerman after being put through on goal by a lofted pass from midfield.
Walsall's early dominance soon paid off when Tom Overfield took possession just outside of the Preston box and fired a shot which curled into the top right hand corner of the goal on 20 minutes.
Jamie Hoyland's young Lilywhites found themselves second best for much of the first half, with the defensive partnership of Fred Holtom and Daniel Devine producing some excellent aerial defending to win possession from Walsall's forwards.
But Walsall doubled their lead on 36 minutes when Overfield, at the heart of every attack, ran and shot from outside the area. Dominic Comrie epitomised Preston's luck as the comfortable-looking effort slipped through the despairing 'keeper's hands and into the back of his net.
The Saddlers came close to extending their advantage when striker Jamie Patterson came inches away from meeting Overfield's cross. Walsall worried Preston again when Patterson's free kick was struck just over by defender Alex Hickman.
Preston academy manager Jamie Hoyland rang the changes at half time, replacing Ryan McGreevy and Ryan Hall with Michael McIfllan and George Miller. His side started brightest; full-back Sam Hart struck just over after a run down the left wing, and Seanan Clucas' cross into the box was too high for McIfllan to connect to.
Holtom cleared Alex Hickman's scuffed shot off the line before North End's good start to the second half came to an end on 61 minutes, Walsall striker George Bowerman taking the ball through a gap between Clark and Holtom and slotting into the right corner.
Preston almost pulled a goal back under controversial circumstances; McIfllan's long range effort forced a fantastic diving save from Walsall 'keeper Tim Cooney when the home side had a man down injured. Devine came even closer; hitting the bar with a free kick from the right-hand side of the box after Proctor was taken down clumsily.
Walsall's defence was finally broken in injury time when former Everton trainee Luke Clark whipped a cross to the unmarked Jamie Proctor who turned and fired low to give Preston a positive moment to take from the game.
Youth manager Jamie Hoyland admitted to an under par performance. He said: "I'm disappointed that we lost our undefeated run but we didn't deserve anything out of the game today, we never really got going and never had any tempo to our play."
He added: "We never had any spark or positive stuff going forward, I was disappointed with our forward play and that's not just the lads who played up there, it was our general positive play going forward."
Walsall: Tim Cooney, Rory Wood (Jack Jones, 75), Lewis Kennen, Sean Geddes (Jack Cresswell, 83), Alex Hickman, Dan Partridge, Tom Overfield, Aaron Forde, George Bowerman, Jamie Patterson, Jordan McCourt (Tom Hayes, 75). Unused subs: Connor Deards, William Melor-Blair.
PNE: Dominic Comrie, Luke Clark, Sam Hart, Seanan Clucas (Reece Hewitt, 57), Fred Holtom, Daniel Devine, Tom Owens, Scott Davidson, Ryan McGreevy (Michael McIfllan, 45), Jamie Proctor, Ryan Hall (George Miller, 45). Unused subs: Ben Proctor, Scott Leather.
Report by Chris Jones
