Alex Neil frustrated by Preston North End's defeat to play-off rivals Cardiff City at Deepdale

Preston North End manager Alex Neil was left to ponder the 'fine margins' which his side fell on the wrong side of in their 3-1 defeat to Cardiff City at Deepdale.
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Neil saw some good chances go begging from his side, those punished at the other end as the Bluebirds won 3-1 to go above North End in the Championship table.

The visitors took a 69th minute lead through Joe Ralls before Daniel Johnson quickly brought North End level with his 12th goal of the season.

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Poor defending allowed Nathniel Mendez-Laing to run through and restore Cardiff's advantage.

Preston North End manager Alex Neil on the touchline against Cardiff at DeepdalePreston North End manager Alex Neil on the touchline against Cardiff at Deepdale
Preston North End manager Alex Neil on the touchline against Cardiff at Deepdale

David Nugent should have equalised in the 90th minute but shot wide from a great position, that punished when Robert Glatzel added a third goal in stoppage-time.

Neil said: "I didn't think there was much in the game, possession was level, shots at goal pretty much level.

"The shots Cardiff had they scored with, the ones we had we should have done better with.

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"Their first goal was disappointing, it was a square ball across the pitch which was cut out and led to the free-kick.

"When we cleared that, the ball came back into the box and we got beat at the back post.

"From that point we rallied and got the goal which was merited at that point.

"Then their second goal we should have stopped their lad getting to the box, take a foul, re-group.

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"Again we got another chance to equalise, it was a fantastic opportunity to make it 2-2 and we missed that chance.

"Then in our endeavour to get back into the game, Declan Rudd kicks the ball and it veers to the right where we didn't have anyone. Cardiff countered on us and scored.

"We are talking fine margins - from us missing that chance to them breaking and scoring."

Nugent's chance at 2-1 should have put away, it coming after fellow substitute Brad Potts had broken into the box with the ball falling into the path of Nugent.

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Neil said: "Nuge has scored goals throughout his career and taken chances like that.

"Unfortunately at this level goals changed games.

"When we had got back into the game at 1-1, normally when you have a home crowd there that would spur you on.

"That obviously didn't happen with there being no fans here but that doesn't excuse anything."