Defender Paul Huntington was pleased to get 90 minutes under his belt as Preston North End beat Shrewsbury Town 1-0 in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
The 26-year-old made his first appearance of the season against Micky Mellon’s side as Jordan Hugill scored the only goal of the game to send the Lilywhites into the next round.
Starting alongside Jack King, Calum Woods and David Buchanan, Huntington played a key role in Preston’s strong defensive performance which resulted in a clean sheet.
Speaking exclusively to PNE.Com following the match, the former Newcastle United and Yeovil Town man admitted he relished being back in competitive action.
“It was good to be out there, I enjoyed it,” he said. “It was good to get 90 minutes, a good result and a clean sheet so I’m happy.”
He added: “The manager speaks about defending first but they’re a decent side, they’re doing alright in their own league and it was good for a few of us to get 90 minutes.”
“We’ve got a big squad here and you’ve got to keep yourself right for when games like tonight come round.”
Huntington has been behind the likes of Tom Clarke, Bailey Wright and King in North End’s centre back pecking order so far this season but the towering defender insists he is desperate to win back a regular starting berth.
“I’m really determined to work as hard as I can to get that opportunity,” he said.
“We’ve got a strong squad, a good squad, we’ve been getting good results but that’s all I can do tonight, show good attitude in training, keep my head down, work hard and do as well as I can.”
The victory against the Shrews at Deepdale sends Preston into the second round of the JPT and Huntington claims it is a competition Simon Grayson’s side are taking seriously this season.
“I think any competition, it’s a bit of a cliché, but you’re always looking to win,” he said.
“Especially with us being at home and getting a clean sheet, it was the perfect result really, one-nil, it could have been a bit easier towards the end, maybe two or three.
“But it was a solid performance and I thought everyone worked hard and it was great for me fitness wise to get back out there.”
Starting alongside Jack King, Calum Woods and David Buchanan, Huntington played a key role in Preston’s strong defensive performance which resulted in a clean sheet.
Speaking exclusively to PNE.Com following the match, the former Newcastle United and Yeovil Town man admitted he relished being back in competitive action.
“It was good to be out there, I enjoyed it,” he said. “It was good to get 90 minutes, a good result and a clean sheet so I’m happy.”
He added: “The manager speaks about defending first but they’re a decent side, they’re doing alright in their own league and it was good for a few of us to get 90 minutes.”
“We’ve got a big squad here and you’ve got to keep yourself right for when games like tonight come round.”
Huntington has been behind the likes of Tom Clarke, Bailey Wright and King in North End’s centre back pecking order so far this season but the towering defender insists he is desperate to win back a regular starting berth.
“I’m really determined to work as hard as I can to get that opportunity,” he said.
“We’ve got a strong squad, a good squad, we’ve been getting good results but that’s all I can do tonight, show good attitude in training, keep my head down, work hard and do as well as I can.”
The victory against the Shrews at Deepdale sends Preston into the second round of the JPT and Huntington claims it is a competition Simon Grayson’s side are taking seriously this season.
“I think any competition, it’s a bit of a cliché, but you’re always looking to win,” he said.
“Especially with us being at home and getting a clean sheet, it was the perfect result really, one-nil, it could have been a bit easier towards the end, maybe two or three.
“But it was a solid performance and I thought everyone worked hard and it was great for me fitness wise to get back out there.”