Two late errors left Preston defeated 2-1 by Blackpool.

Preston stood up well despite an early sending off, but two late corners decided the verdict.

The drama commenced in the 26th minute when midfielder Phil Appiah had an early bath after a challenge for a fifty-fifty ball. The referee claimed it was a two footed tackle, an extraordinary decision and not even Blackpool agreed with the man in black.

However, having one space to fill made the Lilywhites work harder than ever and they had no problems keeping up the high pace from the start of the game. The defence was solid with Dominic Collins commanding most balls.

At half time coach Jamie Hoyland told the team to keep the shape and pick the right times to go forward. And on 58 minutes he made a tactical double substitution when Michael Conchie and Tom McMahon came on as fresh legs.

It appeared all the hard work paid off as Preston went 1-0 up in the 82nd minute. Conchie delivered a perfect pass from the right to Arran McCarthy who cheekily turned the keeper before rolling the ball into an empty net.

The lead was well deserved and PNE thought they had won, but the celebrations proved to be premature. 'Pool equalised within the next couple of minutes following a right-hand corner; skipper Ashton Bayes getting the last touch in a goalmouth scramble.

Unfortunately the Seasiders did not settle for a draw and continued to put the ball in the box. The winner came two minutes into injury time. This time, goalkeeper Chris Thompson dropped the ball right at the feet of Blackpool's Danny Penswick after another right-hand corner.

Preston worked tremendously throughout the game and conceding two goals less than ten minutes from time was a huge disappointment to the players and Hoyland.

He said: "I knew that it would be a bit frenetic after we scored but I did think that we were going to be alright. It's harsh to say but the keeper cost us the game today."

Despite the unfortunate defeat and the early red card shocker, Hoyland managed to find a positive: "It was a very very poor decision and he [the ref] stopped a decent game, but it was a kick up the backside as it made us work a bit harder and get together as a team."

Appiah felt he had let the team down and couldn't bear to watch the game from the sidelines at first. He said: "The ref called me over and said it was a two footed tackle but I can say it was one footed. I'm very surprised, I didn't think it was a sending off at all. If I had to get a card it should have been yellow."

The physical display of the home side was impressive and Hoyland didn't need to use a third sub. Everyone stepped up a gear alongside Dominic Collins who was North End's best player. He said: "We fought well with only ten men on the pitch, it was obviously a struggle but everyone gave 110%.

"As we went one nil up I thought we had won it and judging by the celebrations we all thought it too.

"It was disappointing with it being so close to the end and especially on set pieces which we have been working on. But the work ethic and team spirit was good and now we just got to move on and hopefully improve on set pieces in the next game."

Preston North End: Chris Thompson, Mike Aspin, Mark Bloxam, Dominic Collins, Ray Shearwood, Danny Mayor (Thomas McMahon 58) Philip Appiah, Nathan Fairhurst, Matty Mainwaring, Arran McCarthy, Ash Higgins (Michael Conchie 58). Unused Subs: Chris Rogers, Ciaran Barton, Adam Barton.

By Frida Larsson