North End forward Stuart Beavon is remaining positive after the side's loss to Burnley in the second round of the Capital One Cup.
It was the 29-year-old’s first start of the season, following an injury that he picked up in the pre-season friendly at Chorley.
On his first 90 minutes of the campaign, Beavon said: "It was nice; it was very nice. It is good getting reserve games under your belt and things like that, but there's nothing like being out there, especially with a big game like this, It was really nice and obviously I feel better for it.”
As for the result, the centre forward felt like the Lilywhites were unlucky to lose the match, and believed that the team’s performance was an improvement on Sunday’s clash with Coventry, despite the result.
“They didn't have many chances, but they had two and they took two, and we didn’t take ours,” he told PNE.Com. “I think the gaffer wanted a reaction after the weekend's match and I think we showed that, we went out there, we worked hard and we got in their face.
“We are obviously disappointed with the result, but the performance was better from us than it was the other day.”
Burnley were the second championship side to face Simon Grayson’s side, and Beavon believes that he and his team-mates are not too far away from being at that standard.
“I don’t think they outplayed us at all, we are not far away at all. We know that we need to start putting wins on the board, we know that and I’m sure they will start coming.”
With the Capital One Cup no longer an issue, the side can focus totally on the league before the other cup campaigns begin. Getting three points will be the next target for the side who still remain unbeaten in the league.
“We want to be up there at the end of the season, that is our main focus and to get the three points which we will aim to get on Saturday.”