Bristol City miss chance to climb back into play-off places as Reds beaten by Preston North End

Goals from Lewis Dobbin and Alfie Devine proved to be enough for Preston North End to beat Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Sunday afternoonPreston North End’s Alfie Devine scores the Lilywhites’ second against Bristol City(Image: Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Bristol City missed the chance to climb back up into the play-off places as they ended the congested festive period in a disappointing fashion, with a 2-0 defeat to Preston North End at Ashton Gate on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from loanees Lewis Dobbin and Alfie Devine were enough to see the Lilywhites get the better of Gerhard Struber’s side, as the Robins were unable to hit the heights they showcased on New Year’s Day.

Dobbin was able to profit on an early mistake from City’s backline to fire Paul Heckingbottom’s side into the lead with less than 10 minutes on the clock, before Devine ensured that North End would be returning to Lancashire positioned inside the top six with a low finish midway through the second half.

Sunday’s defeat leaves the Reds sitting 10th in the Championship, but just two points outside of the play-off places after 26 games, with attention turning to the FA Cup next weekend as Watford make the trip to south Bristol.

Struber made two changes to the team that thrashed Portsmouth at Ashton Gate on New Year’s Day. Rob Dickie and Sinclair Armstrong returned to the starting line-up in place of George Tanner and Emil Riis, while Sam Morsy was named among the substitutes, after his move to the West Country was confirmed on Friday.

Dickie was powerless to prevent North End’s opener after just eight minutes, however. An under-hit Zak Vyner backpass forced Max O’Leary to clear from well outside of his penalty area, and the Ireland international was unable to loft his effort over the halfway line. The Lilywhites pounced, and a swift counter ended with Dobbin firing low into the bottom corner to hand the away side the lead.

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The early goal didn’t help the slightly laboured tempo of what was the fourth game in just 10 days for the Reds over the festive period, but after a slow start, Struber’s side started to find their groove around the half-hour mark. Rob Atkinson powered a left-footed shot wide of the post, moments before Armstrong was unable to hit the target from close range, after being picked out by a clever Ross McCrorie cross.

Fresh off his goals against both Millwall and Portsmouth earlier in the week, Adam Randell was next to test Daniel Iversen in the Preston net. The midfielder was alive to head a routine throw-in into his own path on the left wing, before cutting back onto his right foot and forcing a save from inside the penalty area.

(Image: PA)

Ultimatley, that was the Robins’ best chance of what was a relatively flat first half at Ashton Gate, with Preston also unable to extend their lead heading into the break.

The opening exchanges of the second half followed a similar pattern, as neither side was able to produce much in the way of scoring chances. Devine and City substitute Morsy saw reasonable openings from range come and go without being able to hit the target, before McCrorie smashed wide of the post from the right side of the penalty area.

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McCrorie’s effort on the hour mark sparked some life into the Ashton Gate crowd, and Riis looked to take advantage of the buoyed atmosphere when he controlled a chipped pass deep inside the Lilywhites’ half. The former North End striker turned and curled with his right foot from range in search of the top right corner, but was unable to hit the target.

Unfortunately, the Dane and his teammates’ spurned chances proved costly as Devine put the away side in the driver’s seat with around 20 minutes to play. Preston were able to win possession in City’s defensive third and popped the ball around the Robins’ backline with ease before the Tottenham loanee slotted low past O’Leary and into the bottom left corner to all but silence the previously vocal home support.

Any slim hope of a late Reds comeback vanished in its entirety a matter of minutes later when Riis missed another good chance to get one over his former club. Having met a low Cam Pring cross beyond the back post, the 28-year-old was unable to hit the target from close range to ensure Struber’s side suffered a first defeat of the calendar year.

Bristol City miss chance to climb back into play-off places as Reds beaten by Preston North End

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