QUEENS Park Rangers surrendered a goal lead to lose out against Preston North End at Deepdale.
Rangers had taken the lead in the first half when Kazenga LuaLua scored his first goal for the club – astutely back-heeling the ball over the line and marking the strike with his customary athletic celebration.
It was as good as it got for Queens Park Rangers though as despite some more heroics from Alex Smithies, North End were level on the cusp of the break – Aiden McGeady given the freedom of Deepdale to curl home a fine effort from the edge of the area.
It went from bad to worse in the second period when Preston took the lead with 20 minutes remaining – Smithies denying Jordan Hugill at the first attempt, but the striker smashed home the loose ball to perhaps justifiably give the home side the advantage.
Then came a controversial moment in the fixture – Luke Freeman tussled with Tommy Spurr only for the fourth official, it would seem, to note a stamp from the former Bristol City man. The referee confusingly then gave a second yellow meaning Rangers can now not appeal the decision.
The ten men continued to battle valiantly but in truth never really came close to troubling the Preston target after the numerical disadvantage.
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