An experienced Preston North End reserve side lost their second consecutive Pontins League fixture to leave them just two points clear at the top spot in the Pontins Holiday League West.

Billy Barr's side went into the game against Manchester City hoping to extend their two-point lead over Morecambe, but knowing that the Shrimps had two games in hand on their rivals and the defeat at the Citizens now leaves them waiting to see how their North Lancs title rivals get on against Chester on Wednesday..

Two goals from young City prospect Daniel Sturridge and a further goal from January signing Felipe Caicedo consiged the Lilywhites to defeat with North End's best chance of the afternoon coming with the scoreline at 2-0 when Brett Ormerod saw his chance cleared off the line with just 15 minutes left on the clock.

Barr had selected seven professionals in his starting eleven including Polish keeper Grzegorz Szamotulski who played his first game in North End colours. The side had strength and experience in all areas with player of the year Matt Hill in defence, a central midfield partnership of Kevin Nicholls and Richard Chaplow and a strike duo of Neil Mellor and Brett Ormerod.

But the hosts got off to the perfect start on nine minutes when Sturridge opened the scoring, the 18-year-old striker got on the end of a Kelvin Etuhu cross from the right to score his eigth goal in just six games upon his return from a hip injury.

Sturridge could have doubled the advantage on 26 minutes but Szamotulski showed lightening reflexes to turn the youngster's deflected shot around the post. And the Polish stopper denied Sturridge again ten minutes later when the Man City player was put clean through on goal.

'Szamo' made it a hat-trick of saves just before the break when he denied Caicedo by tipping the former Basel striker's header onto the cross-bar.

But the Citizens were not to be denied and four minutes into the second half Sturridge grabbed his second of the game when he planted a left-footed shot beyond Szamotulski from just inside the box.

Preston's experienced side tried hard to get back into the game and both sides played some good football, but City had the last laugh when Caicedo finally opened his Manchester City goal account in second half stoppage time, breaking into the box down the left channel before smashing the ball past the keeper into the roof of the net.

All eyes now will be on Morecambe's game at home to Chester on Wednesday afternoon.

City: 1. Martin, 2. Logan, 3. Williamson, 4. Breen, 5. McDonald, 6. Marshall, 7. Clayton, 8. Moore, 9. Etuhu, 10. Sturridge, 11. Caicedo. Subs: M.Daly, Clegg, D.Ball, Trippier, Weiss.
PNE: 1. Grzegorz Szamotulski, 2. Mike Aspin, 3. Matt Hill, 4. Dominic Collins, 5. Tom Smyth, 6. Richard Chaplow, 7. Danny Mayor, 8. Kevin Nicholls, 9. Neil Mellor, 10. Brett Ormerod, 11. Joe Anyinsah. Subs: 12. Nathan Fairhurst, 13. Jack Cudworth, 14. Phil Appiah, 15. Ray Shearwood, 16. Arran McCarthy.