Preston edge it over Watt

Preston Athletic 3 Heriot-Watt University 1

PRESTON came from behind to beat Heriot Watt and record their first win since October at rain-soaked Pennypit.

The visitors, who were third in the table coming into the match, took the lead in the 13th minute. Ryan Wilkie sent across a ball into the six yard box from the left wing and Ewan Watson was on hand direct the ball in.

Preston equalised on the stroke of half time, Stuart Miller heading in a Bobby Gay's cross from the right.

In between the goals there was little goalmouth action at either end during the first half, as both teams tried to shake off the rust after six weeks without a game.

In the 55th minute Preston keeper Jamie Thomson had to react quickly to tip a Ross Leask effort over the bar. Ten minutes later Michael Conner had shrugged off his markers and just had Thomson to beat, but the Heriot Watt striker blasted into the side netting.

Preston had a goal disallowed for offside on the hour mark, but five minutes from time there was no problem with a Stuart Miller strike which put Preston into the lead. Jamie Brown had a great chance to level the scores for Watt in the 90th minute but Thomson came out of his goal to meet him and smother the ball.

Substitute Craig Manson then sealed the points for Preston three minutes into stoppage time with a superb shot from 25 yards.

Preston: Thomson, Cathcart, McCaul, Leighfield, Scott, McColl, Cairnie, Gay, Miller, Haynes, Docherty. Subs: Manson, Kerr, Laidlaw, Wales.

Heriot-Watt: Falconer, Forbes, Wilson, Brown, Duff, Travis, Leask, Fyfe, Connor, Watson, Wilkie. Subs: Donnelly, James, Wells, Renwick, Saunders.