Simon Grayson admitted tonight's Lancashire derby was a lesson to his young squad tonight.
The Lilywhites were left to rue an early Joey Barton free kick, which took a wicked deflection before sailing into the net with just six minutes on the clock which would ultimately proved to be the only goal of the game.
It signified a slow first half from North End, made all the more difficult when Ben Pearson came off early in the first half with injury, and although the second half was much better for the Lilywhites, the Clarets managed to hold on to record a 1-0 victory.
The Clarets were made to sweat throughout the 90 minutes but North End could never deliver the killer blow to grab an equaliser, and amidst all of the build up, excitement and individual battles, the Preston boss believed his side could take a lot from tonight's loss against fellow Lancashire opposition.
"It was very much similar to a lot of the games we've been involved in this season," said Grayson. We've stayed in the game and we've defended really well. We've asked questions of the opposition but we just didn't have that little bit of quality to work the goalkeeper at times.
"You can't fault the effort of the players. You ask them to give everything which they do and Burnley know they've been in a game today like Middlesbrough did a few weeks ago as well.
"It's a good learning curve for some of our younger players tonight. They are where they are for a reason, they're a good side and well drilled.
"I'm disappointed with the result but proud of the effort of the players."
For more reaction from Simon Grayson, head to PNEPlayerHD via this link.