Preston suffered their first away defeat of the season after a 3-1 reverse at Burnley.

North End were very much in the game until late on - trailing 2-1 after Ray Shearwood's thrilling effort - but the home side killed the game two minutes from full-time.

It was an intense match, especially towards the end when both sides were eager to score but somehow PNE couldn't get the second goal despite a streak of chances.

Coach Jamie Hoyland was not impressed with his side's display and claimed it was one of the poorest performances of the season.

"I'm disappointed with certain individuals who I thought let the team down today," he claimed. "The majority gave it a go but certainly a couple were well below and it was like playing with nine men.

"You need attitude, application and desire to win. Burnley had that more than us and we didn't work hard enough as a team so we got our just rewards.

"We worked on something all week and they didn't do it. We have said we can't let the ball go into their front man and then midfield runners going off but that's what happened with the first goal."

Criticising the officials is a cliché but there were four doubtful offsides on Ash Higgins during a 13 minute period in the first half. The forward even had a goal disallowed following Tom McMahon's well timed flick. Former Clarets coach Hoyland added:

"I don't want to get drawn onto that a goal at that time could have changed the game."

Burnley broke the deadlock through their first attempt on goal on nine minutes. Adam Kay made a good run behind PNE's defence and beat goalkeeper Chris "Thommo" Thompson to it by placing the low effort near his left post.

Preston kept searching for the perfect finish in what looked to be a lost cause. Mainwaring saw his shot stopped by a giant save and Mike Aspin and Tom Smyth both had a go at the rebound.

Thommo provided some terrific saves in both halves but had nothing to say when Ben Hoskin's 2-0 rocket took a deflection via Aspin.

Ray Shearwood has been out injured for two games but made a right comeback on 66 minutes with an oozing drive.

"It was great strike and my first touch of the game," he enthused afterwards. "I saw the winger had switched off so I just controlled the ball, looked up and put it in the right top corner."

Burnley pressurised North End straight after Shearwood's goal and the Lilywhites had a sweet escape when a thundering ball bounced back after hitting the bar and the goal line.

PNE worked hard to get an equaliser and produced a lot of chances but the finishers looked as if they were lacking concentration and confidence.

However, when Burnley's Rob Turner managed to slide the ball in after a goal mouth scramble on 88 minutes, it was game over.

Danny Mayor got injured in the second half and was taken to hospital for a pre-cautionary x-ray.

"He's got a cut on his ankle which will require a stitch I think, but fingers crossed there's nothing broken," said Hoyland.

Forward Arran McCarthy got injured in training last Wednesday and was replaced by Tom Smyth but Arran should be back training this week.

"We thought it was a break at the time but luckily it's alright," he added.

This was Preston's second defeat of the season but the team will be hoping to grab their fifth win when taking on Accrington Stanley at Springfields on Saturday.

PNE: Chris Thompson, Mike Aspin, Phil Appiah (Ray Shearwood 65), Tom McMahon, Mark Bloxam, Dominic Collins, Danny Mayor (Michael Conchie 60), Nathan Fairhurst, Tom Smyth, Ash Higgins, Matty Mainwaring.

Unused subs: Ciaron Barton, Jack Cudworth, Chris Rogers.

Booking: Tom McMahon (57).

By Frida Larsson