After knocking out Fulham in the League Cup last week, PNE Women were brought back down to earth with a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at Irongate.

The loss was Preston's second consecutive in the league and it now leaves them third in the table, three and four points behind Lincoln and Nottingham Forest respectively.

Preston started well with some early attacking play, which forced Sheffield into some scrambled defending. Preston took the lead in the tenth minute when Gemma Watson fired the ball into the back of the net following a some neat intricate passing between Alison Taberner and Hannah Bailey.

Preston could have doubled their lead just minutes later but Hannah Bailey blazed a few feet over the bar. Sheffield then began to settle and after a period of heavy pressure, the equaliser came. There was little Jenny Horrocks could do with a deflected effort just before the 20 minute mark.

The two sides failed to stamp any real authority on proceedings, exchanging possession at regular intervals. Neither was able to gain the upper hand, until the 31st minute when the Sheffield forward beat a Preston defender in the box and was allowed to fire unchallenged into the bottom corner of the goal.

A couple of half chances to Preston followed but, disappointingly, the score remained 2-1 to Wednesday at the break.

Strong words at half time from Simon Gerrard lead to Preston beginning the second half with more endeavour and determination.

Frustration set in for North End, passes began to go astray, as Sheffield tenaciously chased and closed down at every opportunity

Defensive errors and unnecessarily conceded free kicks allowed Sheffield more chances and Preston Keeper Jenny Horrocks did well to keep the score at 2-1.

Eventually the pressure told and Wednesday wrapped the game up with a sensational third. After PNE half cleared a corner, the ball fell to the Sheffield number nine who, from 30 yards, thumped a shot that hit the underside of the bar and dropped beyond the line.

Preston did have a couple of half chances to reduce the deficit but the Sheffield keeper made routine stops from the tame efforts North End created. The game fizzled out and the Lilywhties accepted defeat in this disappointing display on their behalf .

However, the Women don't have long to wait to put this display behind them, travelling to Flixton FC the home ground of Manchester City LFC this Wednesday. Kick off is at 7.30pm