Greg still eyes play-off spot for PNE

A strong run of form since Christmas has carried PNE up the table and they were ninth prior to Saturday’s 2-1 loss in South Wales.

They slipped back to 10th place at the weekend but that has not discouraged left-back Cunningham in the slightest.

He points to there being 12 games left, with plenty of football to be played between now and May 7.

Cunningham told the Evening Post: “Before we went to Cardiff, we had won seven out of the last 10 games.

“We have been enjoying our football, we have enjoyed winning – some of them we weren’t expected to.

“Losing to Cardiff was very frustrating but we will battle back from that.

“There are 12 games left and there is no reason why we cannot go on another run.

“Let’s see where the next few weeks take us – we are not that far off the play-offs.

“For any team which has been promoted, the first objective is to make sure you stay up in the division.

“We have done that and we are looking up now.

“As a group of players, we will recover this week and go again when Brighton come here at the weekend.

“The home crowd will be buzzing and hopefully we can get back to winning ways.

“We are strong at Deepdale and haven’t lost too many games there.”

Cunningham set up North End’s goal at Cardiff, getting forward on the left wing and pulling the ball back for Callum Robinson to steer a shot into the net from just inside the box.

“It was a great finish from Callum and he has been tremendous since he came in,” said Cunningham.

“He came on against Charlton last week and did fantastically well to score the winner in that one.

“Unfortunately, his goal at Cardiff was only to be a consolation in the end.

“But at the time it gave us a chance of getting back into the game and taking something.

“Callum wasn’t well in the build-up to the game – he went down on his own just in case.

“He’s a very good player and great to have about the dressing room.

“When Callum has played, we have tended to link up quite well down the left-hand side. It is nice to have a player like that playing in front of you.”

Cunningham has made a big impact at Deepdale since last summer’s arrival on a free transfer from Bristol City.

He has played in 32 of North End’s 34 Championship games and made a further three appearances in the cup competitions.

His one goal in Preston colours came against former employers Bristol City in January.

Said Cunningham: “I feel really settled here and I’m enjoying my football under the gaffer.

“The lads here are a great bunch and we have come a long way this season.”