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Match Reports

Match Report: Rotherham United 1 PNE 2

14 March 2023

Goals by Tom Cannon and Ched Evans for the second game running earned Preston North End a 2-1 victory away to Rotherham United.

North End took the lead midway through the first half courtesy of a close-range finish from Cannon, before Hakeem Odoffin levelled on 35 minutes.

PNE were back ahead in first-half stoppage-time, though, as Evans netted a superb strike from the edge of the area, and North End were unlucky to not extend their lead in a largely dominant second period.

There weren’t many chances of note in the opening stages of game, with PNE limited to a Browne snapshot which was sliced wide of goal.

The skipper was involved again on 23 minutes, sending a deep cross towards Brady, who put the ball back across goal for Cannon, who kept his cool to slot home for his second goal in as many games.

North End then could have found a second ten minutes later as a low cross from Brad Potts so nearly fell kindly for Evans, but he couldn’t quite reach it to make contact, with the goal at his mercy.

At the other end, the Millers drew level from a corner, as Odoffin headed past Woodman on the end of Shane Ferguson’s cross from the right.

Cannon had the ball in the net again on 37 minutes, capitalising on the goalkeeper’s parry which denied a good Brady effort from distance, but he was left frustrated by the offside flag.

North End would take a lead into the break with them, though, courtesy of a quite brilliant goal from Evans, who took the ball in his stride 20 yards from goal, before turning and firing into the bottom left corner.

PNE well and truly picked up where they left off after the break, putting the hosts under relentless pressure, and Cannon struck the bar on 50 minutes after dinking over the goalkeeper.

Evans then came close to a brace himself, seeing an effort deflect wide for a corner, and Bambo Diaby then lifted a shot over from close range from the resulting set piece.

Goalmouth action quietened down a little from that point as the hosts threatened to get back into the game, but North End stayed firm and restricted them to very little while enjoying breaks at the other end, and Ryan Lowe's side extended their unbeaten run to seven matches.

Rotherham United line-up: Johansson; Harding (Blackett, 57), Peltier, Humphreys, Hjelde (Bramall, 57); Coventry, Odoffin, Fosu; Ogbene, Hugill, Ferguson (Washington, 57). Subs not used: Vickers, Eaves, Lindsay, Kioso.

PNE line-up: Woodman; Storey, Diaby, Cunningham; Potts, Whiteman, Browne (Onomah, 85), Johnson (Ledson, 80), Brady (Fernández, 80; Cannon (Delap, 85), Evans (Parrott, 69). Subs not used: Cornell, Hughes.

Attendance: 9,003 (723 PNE fans).

Referee: Mr S Martin.


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