Manager Simon Grayson was extremely pleased with the come back from his side as they earned three points with a late own goal at Colchester.
Tom Clarke had given the side a half-time lead with his first goal since October, but Jabo Ibehre levelled just after half-time, however, Chris Humphrey’s cross was turned into his own net by Brian Wilson with eight minutes left, to give the Lilywhites their tenth league win on the road.
“It was a difficult game for us, because they are a decent team,” said the gaffer. “It was a lively pitch as well and they’ve got some threats that can be a handful, but we went through the job in a professional manner.
“We started the game extremely well , created some good chances and went close with some good opportunities.”
The red and black clad away side got off to a blistering start, but it took until the 28th minute to get the goal and then the home side almost had an immediate riposte, the penalty something Simon admitted was the right decision from the match official.
“We were delighted with the opening goal; the penalty save then changed the game and we had to show character when it went to 1-1, but we stayed in the game and I am delighted we got another three points.
“Our delivery from set pieces was very good today. When you have that sort of delivery you want people to go and attack the ball and Tom has done that.
“I saw the penalty at half-time and the referee’s got it right. Declan made the initial save and maybe there’s a foul on him, but the ball bounced around and then he took Marcus Beans his legs and the yellow card was the right decision, but we were very fortunate to see it saved.”
He felt the character showed after the break was vital, but something his team have had all season: “We knew we had to play the pitch as well as the system, but you have to win matches in different ways and today we showed a lot of character.
“We had to go longer because the pitch was difficult and we had to stand up and be counted when we needed to be and we did that.
“You want your players to respond when you face adversity; when you suffer some disappointments you have to react quickly and we always have a belief in the group that we can go and score goals and win matches, even when we are drawing or losing games, so I am delighted to see the players’ endeavours today, and their attitude, got the result they deserved.”
One man who was singled out for praise was Chris Humphrey, who returned to the side and set up the winner: “Today Chris Humphrey showed what he was capable of and what we see every day in training and all season.
“He’s been a fantastic signing for us, his work-rate is tremendous; there’s time when he can improve his quality in that final third, but I love those type of players around my squad because they give everything for the shirt and he got his rewards for a great ball across; which when you put the ball in dangerous areas, you have a chance of getting goals.”