Preston boss: The title is ours to lose

THEY’VE been top for seven months and now, with only seven games to go, Preston Athletic manager Stevie Myatt believes the Central Taxis First Division title is theirs to give away.

Preston, relegated from the Premier Division on the final day of last season, face Peebles Rovers tomorrow, a team who drew 3-3 with Eyemouth United last Saturday thanks to a late equaliser from former Preston striker Dale McCall.

Myatt again has selection problems with Matt Costello, Greg McColl and Ross Gilpin all doubtful, while John Kerr is working.

He said: “Winning the league is entirely in our own hands. I believe we are capable of beating any team in the division.”

Preston lost 3-1 to Easthouses Lily last week and Myatt reckoned that his side spurned 13 goalscoring opportunities while they were also guilty of leaking three goals at the other end.

“I have to admit that we have not been playing well recently but whichever opposition we face they are all determined to beat us because we are top. We are scoring plenty of goals but unfortunately we cannot keep them out at the other end and we have to score three goals to win a game. It’s impossible to do that in every game.”

Preston’s lead is six points and even if their nearest challengers, Heriot-Watt, who went down with Preston last year, were to win their two games in hand, Preston still have a far superior goal difference.

Peebles Rovers boss Stuart Robertson reports that goalkeeper John Nisbet is available along with Jason Girdwood, although Ron Fleming is suspended and Gary Knox is out injured.