North End's Women came unstuck in the Midlands on Sunday going down 2-1 to Aston Villa.

Simon Gerrard's team had travelled to Sutton Coldfield hoping to complete the double over a side that were convincingly beaten 5-2 in the home fixture back in September.

Both sides started brightly, Villa testing the Preston defence with early crosses which were comfortably dealt with by the Preston defence.

A good passage of play in the fifth minute between Cafferkey and Bailey resulted in a shot from McCrae which was well saved by the Villa keeper.

Both teams continued to press for the opening goal with Preston's captain Berry being involved in the majority of Preston's attacking moves.

The Villains took the lead on 38 minutes. The home side's keeper launched the ball downfield, and with the Preston defence caught flat footed, Carly Davies raced through to lob the advancing Emma Reader.

Preston went on the attack looking for an equaliser and on 45^th minute PNE striker Dransfield turned and half volleyed a cross which the Villa keeper managed to palm up into the air but which was then cleared by the Villa defence.

Preston came out after the break in determined mood. Hannah Bailey saw an effort drift the wrong side of the post but just as they were looking to get themselves level, the home team doubled their lead.

Villa broke down the left and forced Willoughby to concede a corner. Unfortunately the Preston defence had a lapse in concentration and the resulting cross was met by an unmarked Villa player who headed into the back of the net.

Manager Simon Gerrard decided a change was necessary following the goal and made three tactical substitutions.

The Villa defence was then peppered with wave after wave of Preston attacks which eventually paid off on the hour mark when McCrae got the ball on the left wing, beat two players and unleashed a vicious shot under the keeper's body.

Preston's tails were now up and thoughts were turning to the previous week's comeback against Lincoln City. The Lilywhites continued to pressurise the Villa defence, with the keeper making some outstanding saves.

The bar came to Villa's rescue before they had the opportunity to seal the game in the final few minutes.

Angela Willoughby mistimed a tackle on the edge after the advancing Villa striker had broke clear. Although the foul looked to have taken place outside the area, the referee pointed to the spot. Justice was done however when the Villa attacker blazed her effort over the bar.

No further chances were created in the moments that followed as North End were condemned to their first away defeat of the season.

Next up for PNEWFC is Curzon Ashton from the North West Combination League in the WFA Cup third round at Irongate, Bamber Bridge on Sunday 2^nd December.

By Wendy Skerritt