Early salvo wins it for Watt

HERIOT-Watt went two goals ahead within 16 minutes as Ronnie Napier’s accurate pass was fired high into the net on the half-volley by Michael Connor, then Jamie Forsyth played the ball across the six-yard line for Napier to slide it in at the far post.

Athletic immediately responded with a 20-yard drive from Graham Nisbet which Craig Saunders dived to and turned round the post, but Nisbet was not to be denied and he headed Robbie Arthur’s corner firmly into the net to reduce Preston’s arrears. The visitors had the initiative now and Sean Martin shot over from a freekick before Nisbet sent a drive past the post. Thomson saved well from Chris Donnelly’s angled shot, but Athletic were doing most of the attacking. A good cross by Martin gave Steven McCormack a free header at the back post but he steered the ball into the side netting, before Callum Kerr was denied.

Heriot-Watt Univeristy: Saunders, Ferrie, James, Kerr (Paterson 73), Forbes, R Napier, Forsyth (Donnelly 67), Ewing (Burke 78), Connor, Muhsin, Webster. Subs: Myatt, Watson.

Preston Athletic: Thomson, Stewart, O’Hara (Henderson 21), Barr, Morrison, Nisbet, Cairnie (McCormack 68), Scott, Martin, Arthur, Kerr. Subs: Colquhoun, Gallacher, Gilbertson.