Alex Neil says Preston North End lacked creativity at Bristol City but defeat was harsh

They were beaten 2-0 at Ashton Gate, ending a run of 15 games unbeaten against the Robins.

Famara Diedhiou headed the home side in front in the eighth minute, with Zak Vyner adding a second 13 minutes from time.

Neil said: "I thought the first 20 minutes we didn't get started really.

"To be fair to Bristol City I thought they were really quite aggressive, they turned the ball, won the battle in the middle of the pitch and kept the ball alive at the top end.

"Their centre-backs dealt with everything we put forward.

"So for 20 minutes they were better, they got the goal from a set play which was really disappointing, right in the middle of the box - we should be clearing that.

"From then onwards until half-time I didn't think there anything in the game, I thought we did better, competed better, the game was even.

"Then for 30 minutes of the second half we were completely dominant but we didn't create enough.

"I thought we got into good areas and our final ball was poor, we didn't damage them enough for all the play we had around the box.

"We hit the bar with a header, had a good chance with the one which slides to Sean Maguire in transition.

"Bristol City came back into the game in the last 10-15 minutes and scored a fortunate goal - it was a miscue from the edge of the box which scuffed into the corner and that killed the game.

"Over the piece I didn't think we deserved to lose but we certainly didn't do enough to win.

"Creatively, the two wide players weren't in the game and Daniel Johnson wasn't in the game as much as in the past.

"That is our three top goalscorers this season and when we win games, they generally play well for us.

"Unfortunately today wasn't one of those games."