Manager Simon Grayson was delighted to be in the hat for the second round of the Capital One Cup after a tricky first round tie at Rochdale.
It horrendous conditions, with torrential rain almost throughout, the Lilywhites scored either side of half-time to book themselves a slot in Wednesday night’s draw.
Andy Little opened the scored, against the run of play, with a fine solo goal – his first for the Club – and Neil Kilkenny doubled the advantage just after the interval to give the Lilywhites what proved to be a comfortable 2-0 win in the end.
Speaking immediately after drying off, the manager said: “We always knew this was going to be a tough game. Keith Hill’s teams always have a lot of energy and they showed that tonight, particularly in the first half.
“We were comfortable enough, but we needed to get closer to them, stop them from playing and get the full backs joining in a bit more, and being more adventurous when we had the ball.
“In the second half, when we got the second goal, it was quite a comfortable evening for us in the end and nice to get a clean sheet as well.”
He was happy to admit that the opening goal, whilst timely, was harsh on the hosts, who had just had a short spell of dominance, without ever forcing Jamie Jones – who earned his first clean sheet – into a save of note.
“We started the game quite well,” continued the gaffer. ”We kept the ball and moved it quickly, but they were getting into the game and were on top when we scored.
“That’s what Andy does, he has a lot of desire and energy and he has a goal in him and it was pure desire that got him the goal tonight and it was great to see it go in.
“We stepped up the gears in the second half and you know when Neil Kilkenny gets on the scoresheet it is going to be your night!”
And in the end the manager was delighted to make progress and see his side earn their first win of the 2014/15 season: “It was a good finish from Killa. I don’t know if Gally meant to put it into the box like that, but we kept it alive and that’s what we ask of players around the 18 yard box and we were first to react, got the shot off quickly and it was good to see it hit the back of the net.
“After that we played well; I though Jordan Hugill did ever so well when he came on and all round it was a good professional performance and it was nice to get through,” he added.
Andy Little opened the scored, against the run of play, with a fine solo goal – his first for the Club – and Neil Kilkenny doubled the advantage just after the interval to give the Lilywhites what proved to be a comfortable 2-0 win in the end.
Speaking immediately after drying off, the manager said: “We always knew this was going to be a tough game. Keith Hill’s teams always have a lot of energy and they showed that tonight, particularly in the first half.
“We were comfortable enough, but we needed to get closer to them, stop them from playing and get the full backs joining in a bit more, and being more adventurous when we had the ball.
“In the second half, when we got the second goal, it was quite a comfortable evening for us in the end and nice to get a clean sheet as well.”
He was happy to admit that the opening goal, whilst timely, was harsh on the hosts, who had just had a short spell of dominance, without ever forcing Jamie Jones – who earned his first clean sheet – into a save of note.
“We started the game quite well,” continued the gaffer. ”We kept the ball and moved it quickly, but they were getting into the game and were on top when we scored.
“That’s what Andy does, he has a lot of desire and energy and he has a goal in him and it was pure desire that got him the goal tonight and it was great to see it go in.
“We stepped up the gears in the second half and you know when Neil Kilkenny gets on the scoresheet it is going to be your night!”
And in the end the manager was delighted to make progress and see his side earn their first win of the 2014/15 season: “It was a good finish from Killa. I don’t know if Gally meant to put it into the box like that, but we kept it alive and that’s what we ask of players around the 18 yard box and we were first to react, got the shot off quickly and it was good to see it hit the back of the net.
“After that we played well; I though Jordan Hugill did ever so well when he came on and all round it was a good professional performance and it was nice to get through,” he added.