The 6 talking points from Preston North End's defeat to Cardiff City

Preston North End suffered a humbling 3-1 defeat to Cardiff City on their return to Deepdale.
Preston North End leave the field after their defeat.Preston North End leave the field after their defeat.
Preston North End leave the field after their defeat.

After a goalless second half, four second half goals decided the contest, Joe Ralls opening the scoring for City before Daniel Johnson equalised. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing restored Cardiff's lead and Robert Glatzel settled the match, seeing the Welsh side leapfrog PNE into sixth.

Here are the six talking points after a losing return to PR1.

1. North End are now in the chasing pack.

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An obvious one, but one that needs addressing all the same, Preston are now having to do the chasing again.

It's the first time since January 20 that the Lilywhites find themselves on course to end their season after 46 games.

Having spent so long in the top six it could be a big blow to the squad to relinquish that place with only seven games to go, and losing to their closest rival.

It opens up a three point gap between sixth and seventh, with results elsewhere once again going Preston's way, with goal difference also now out of their favour.

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Could it relieve pressure and see a resurgence? Could it send them tumbling further down the table? Only time will tell.

2. Flags are nice, but they're not the real deal.

A huge moment in the game ended up going under the radar a little, with Scott Sinclair's claims for a penalty ignored play went on, replays showed it probably should have been given but the mood of the game didn't really change.

That isn't the case with fans in the ground. Whether appeals from the home support may have helped persuade or not is a different matter, the atmosphere it would have created spurs the home side on.

A wronged crowd would soon direct its voice away from the referee and behind their side, giving them a little boost and adding a bit more bite to the game - which it lacked in the opening 45.

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Not to mention the added effect when fans would have had when PNE pushed for another shortly after equalising. Flags are still a good gesture but North End did fall victim to the empty ground at least in stages.

3. Another game lacking in forwards scoring.

A stat flying around social media in the wake of the defeat demonstrates the point well: of PNE's 52 league goals this season just five have come from strikers.

Although Stockley and Maguire did combine in part for Johnson's equaliser, Stockley, who played as the central striker throughout, didn't look a scoring threat.

The same can be said for most of those who have occupied that no.9 role this season, this is not a new problem.

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It's something that Alex Neil has needed to, and tried to, address for some time but still can't quite find the right formula for.

4. Stockley's selection.

Stockley still only has two goals to his name and was chosen to start against a Cardiff side whose centre halves won all of their aerial duels last time out against Leeds United.

It was an interesting choice and very much pitted the 26-year-old against the pair - from whom he got very little. Unlike in most other scenarios prior, Browne was not really deployed as a 'running 10' as we've often seen.

That left Stockley stranded at times without adequate support and the crosses that came in to him were rarely of the quality to both beat the defence and give him something to direct towards goal.

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In his post match interview there was a sense of frustration in the lack of supply, but he must continue to grin and bear it.

5. Uncharacteristically weak at the back.

In the second half North End looked exposed and presented Cardiff with their goals.

A one-two 40 yards out saw them regain the lead and and Glatzel had little resistance as he made ground down the left before he scored.

In both scenarios neither Ben Davies or Patrick Bauer covered themselves in much glory, both beaten too easily and allowing too much freedom to the Welsh side's forwards. Davies allowed Lee Tomlin too much room before Bauer sold himself, which he did again for the third goal.

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Usually decisive and punctual in their tackling, both seemed a bit unsure and hesitant - which will hopefully change for the remaining chase.

6. Keeping the back door shut in PR1.

The defeat to Cardiff has extended North End's wait for a home clean sheet to 18 games in all competitions, dating back to mid-September, with just two all season.

Preston may struggle to create and score but should they not concede at least they'll pick up one point, but at the moment they need to score at least twice if they are to take maximum points at home.

It was an issue overshadowed by the goal scoring freedom in the early parts of the season but as an unsustainable trend, it is now costing them.