Preston defeated a drab Huddersfield team in the Championship to snap their four-game losing streak.
At halftime, the home crowd jeered the Terriers off after goals from Alan Browne and Will Keane. Manager Darren Moore responded by making three substitutions.
The game’s direction was momentarily altered by those changes when Danny Ward scored his first goal of the year to offer Huddersfield, who are currently in fourth place, a chance to win.
That hope was dashed by another deft Preston goal, as Ben Whiteman stroked the ball home from 20 yards to break the hosts’ four-game winning streak.
Preston’s season has been somewhat unpredictable; after starting the year with six victories and a tie from their first seven games, they fell down significantly with a run of seven games without a win.
With a resolute goalless draw against Norwich over the weekend, they ended another losing streak, and in Huddersfield, they encountered cooperative opponents as they pursued their first three-point haul since defeating nearby Blackburn on November 10.
They started quickly, with captain Browne misfiring on a clumsy effort before vociferously demanding a penalty when he appeared to have been fouled in the box.
It made little difference though, as Preston redirected the attack, and in just three minutes, Browne scored his team’s first goal when Duane Holmes crossed the ball.
Josh Koroma curled one attempt over the bar for Huddersfield, only to be foiled by a perfectly placed challenge from Whiteman just as he was about to pull the trigger.
Preston was more deft and nimble, and the home team survived another significant penalty appeal when Ched Evans was taken down by Tom Lees’ challenge.
The outstanding Liam Millar attracted three defenders with a run down the left flank, and he then slipped a pass to Keane, who slid his shot past keeper Chris Maxwell’s knees to double the Lancashire team’s lead.
Moore was visibly displeased as he replaced Josh Austerfield, Ben Wiles,Nakayama, and Lees with Ben Wiles, Koroma, and Jaheim Headley during the half.
The home team gained momentum after Preston was pinned back for the first time, and Ward skillfully headed the ball beyond custodian Freddie Woodman after Matty Pearson arrowed a cross to the far post.
It was a false dawn, as Millar again made advances and feed Holmes, who put it sideways for Whiteman to send the ball into the bottom corner. Preston, who dropped a gear in the second half, still had enough left to secure the points.
That kept Preston pushing for a play-off spot, and if QPR continues their recent run of success at home against Plymouth on Wednesday, Huddersfield will fall into the bottom three.
Darren Moore, the manager of Huddersfield, said on BBC Radio Leeds:
“You can’t be satisfied with being down a goal in the opening two minutes of the game, and I’m not happy with the way we started the game, the spirit, or anything.
“We needed to regain some momentum in the game, so we made a change at halftime. After Wardy’s goal put us back in the game, we enjoyed a period of ten to fifteen minutes where it appeared as though we were pressing Preston back.
“What disappointed me was the ball’s trajectory and shot on the third goal, which caused it to end up in the net against my expectation.
“It appeared to take the wind out of our sails; they went into a low block, making it challenging for us to break through.
“I had twenty minutes to go in the game and make adjustments.
Ryan Lowe, manager of Preston North End, spoke to BBC Radio Lancashire:
“The entire performance was unlike any other class. Both individually and as a group, they were all outstanding. The aims were expertly crafted.
“To go straight after them early doors was the plan. We were certain that we would possess the most of the ball, and the boys played their team strategy flawlessly.
“The boys have proven they can accomplish that, so I’ve always had faith in their ability to do it. It’s acceptable for some people to have doubts, but it’s pleasing for who we are and what we’re attempting to do.”
