Preston North End's youngsters were unable to build on last week's cup success as they lost 2-1 away at Oldham Athletic.

Tom Smyth equalised for Preston midway through the first half, after the home side had previously taken the lead from the penalty spot.

Oldham made sure they went home with all three points just before the break, after Preston scored an own goal attempting to clear a set piece.

Despite the result, Preston showed that they more than matched their opponents, and were unfortunate to come away from the game empty handed as the team threatened throughout.

Coach Jamie Hoyland was philosophical in defeat, and was keen to point out that there were many positives to be taken out of the game.

"I thought we were the better side", claimed the experienced tactician. "The way we played today was as good as I've seen us.

"We've done really well and can take a lot of positives from the game. I've told the players not to be down-hearted because they've all played well today.

Hoyland felt that on another day it may have been North End walking away with all three points, had luck been on their side.

"We just lacked that killer touch in the final third, but with that bit of luck in the box I think we'd have won."

Preston were on the ropes early on, and conceded a penalty in the fourth minute after a handball in the box. Paul Black stepped up and coolly slotted home into the bottom corner.

North End then produced the kind football that justified their lofty league position, with Ray Shearwood and Matty Mainwaring both going close for Preston.

The team's persistence paid off in the 23^rd minute, as Tom Smyth raced onto a through pass before out-muscling the Oldham defender and firing Preston level.

The initiative was firmly with a Preston side rejuvenated by that equalising goal, as the team pushed hard for a crucial second.

North End then found themselves 2-1 down in the 44^th minute after Oldham scored against the run of play. Preston defender Ray Shearwood attempted to clear a lofted ball into the box, only to see his header loop into the back of the net.

Centre-back Dominic Collins was forced off early in the second half with a reported hamstring injury, as Preston battled to get the equaliser.

Jamie Hoyland made changes with 20 minutes to go, introducing U16 product Jamie Proctor, as the team looked to salvage something from the game.

Preston's captain Matty Mainwaring put in another influential performance, and echoed his manager's comments that the team perhaps didn't get what they deserved from the game, claiming:

"I thought we controlled the game after they had scored the first. We brought in a few new faces, and the team played well on the whole."

For all Preston's endeavour, they were unable to score the second, and substitute Mark Bloxam summed up North End's frustration with a typically committed challenge late-on.

Mainwaring conceded that the award of a penalty early in the game was probably the correct decision, although he felt Preston should have dealt with the initial threat.

"The ball should probably have been cleared earlier, but that was still up there with one of our best performances of the season," he concluded.

The next outing for Preston's youth side is on Saturday 8^th December at home to Bury.

Preston North End: Chris Thompson, Mike Aspin, Chris Rogers, Tom McMahon, Ray Shearwood, Dominic Collins (sub Mark Bloxam 63), Adam Barton (sub Danny Mayor 67), George Miller, Arran McCarthy (sub Jamie Proctor 67), Tom Smyth, Matty Mainwaring. Sub not used: Jack Cudworth

By Paul Ray