After being disappointed with his side’s first-half performance in the goalless draw against Hull City, manager Ryan Lowe was much happier with the intensity of his side in the second 45.
The hosts had the better chances in the first half, before a double change at the interval seemed to inject some energy into Preston North End.
Troy Parrott – one of those substitutes – had arguably the best chance of the game on 54 minutes, being found by Tom Cannon, but he sent his first-time effort wide of goal from 12 yards.
That was part of a really promising period for PNE, but the deadlock wasn’t broken and the game ended goalless.
Ryan told iFollow PNE: “I thought the second-half performance was a lot better than how we started the first half.
“The first half was nowhere near the levels we expect, even though it was a bit frantic. I thought both teams were giving the ball away.
“We got the lads in at half-time, made a couple of changes, tweaked one or two things with the formation and how and where we were going to press, and we got a bit more on the front foot in the second half.
“If you start the first half the way we did and keep giving the ball away, you’re not going to create many opportunities.
“The second half was a lot more like what we expect, so fair play to the lads because they took it all on board, went out in the second half and had a chance to win it. Troy’s had a fantastic opportunity.
“I thought we were more penetrating on the front foot to create more chances. I know they had some slim chances and balls into the box, but I felt we dealt with that quite well, but second half overall was a lot better.
“To take a point when you’ve only really turned up for 45 minutes is really pleasing.”
PNE lost Andrew Hughes to injury in the first half, with the defender suffering from a tight groin.
He’ll join Ali McCann in the treatment room, who was missing from the squad in East Yorkshire, following his man of the match performance during the week against Luton Town.
Ryan confirmed: “He’s going to be out for eight to ten weeks now, Ali.
“He’s got a tear in his thigh which he wasn’t aware of and we weren’t aware of until he came in on the Thursday.
“He obviously carried on playing through it but, once we scanned it, it’s not a good sign.
“Will he be back just before the end of the season? Potentially, but we won’t risk him.
“We probably might not see Ali again for the rest of the season now because of a tear in his quad.”