Preston North End boss Alan Irvine chose to praise his players' efforts of getting the Club out of the relegation dogfight rather criticise them for a poor final-day display at Bristol City.

Irvine admitted that he fully expected his side to need a result at Ashton Gate in the final game of the season, but his side's hard work and performances earlier on in 2008 had ensured that that worry at least was taken away.

"We were in a bad position when I came in and we managed to get worse than that so it is a brilliant achievement," Irvine said reflecting on his time in charge of the Lilywhites.

"The target we set was 54 points and we knew at the time that we needed nine wins out of eighteen games, we'd only won five out of twenty-eight prior to that so it was a very demanding target but the lads made it with four games to go.

"I've said to them in the dressing room, I won't talk to them about today, I'll talk about what they have done since I came in and what they have done since I came in has been terrific. They deserved to go away being acknowledged for what they have done, rather than being criticised for what they have done today.

"Where we were in January was a terrible position and we've managed to get to 15th place in the league which is an amazing achievement. I expected us to have to come here and get a result but we were safe with three or four games to go."

Irvine admitted that his side tried hard but ultimately just lacked a mental edge against a buoyant Bristol City side, a team who could yet be playing Premiership football next season.

"It's not what I wanted that's for sure, I'm very disappointed and the players are as well," Irvine said after the 3-0 reverse.

"Mentally you have got to be right to play in this league, to play in any league you have got to be just right and if you haven't got that little edge then you get found out. If you've watched all our games then you know that that is not what we are like, I'm disappointed that it's ended that way, I didn't want it to end that way.

"We'd prepared for the game in the way that we know that we have to but we were just lacking that little bit of steel, that little edge that is essential. I think the players tried, I just think they didn't have that extra bit that is needed."

One of the highlights of the afternoon at Ashton Gate was the reception afforded to former Bristol man Matt Hill. The full-back was given an opportunity to shine on his former stomping ground, but Irvine told the press that Hill's inclusion wasn't entirely down to sentimental reasons.

The Gaffer said: "I made two changes at the back, Youl and Callum have really been dragging themselves through the last few games and I just thought I could make those changes.

"Ledge coming back from injury and Hilly coming back to the place where he made his name, it was a little bit of a sentimental one but it was also done on the basis that Callum has put in a great shift for us, he's played more games for us than he has done in a long time and we are delighted that he has been able to do that for us, he can now have a well earned rest and

"Neither Callum or Youl were disappointed to be given a breather."