Graham Alexander's bold decisions prove to be masterstrokes as Preston earn brilliant win vs Southampton

They say it's darkest just before the dawn. Tuesday was dark. Saturday, the first glimmers of hope may have truly crept over the horizon because... Preston North End have got a victory!

And what a win it was. 1-0 against promotion-chasing Southampton, containing all the attributes Graham Alexander has been repeatedly stressing the importance of: Hard work, commitment, togetherness, competitiveness, bravery. And then one he has often said can only come once everything else is in place - quality.

Because while this win did take grit, determination, resilience and defiance in a second half in which Saints turned the screw and pushed for a leveller, it came after a first-half in which Preston played good football and scored a sensational goal.

There was plenty of high energy pressing to create chances on quick transitions, and North End should have done a bit better to score from at least two, especially when Alfie Devine's shot when through on goal was saved, but there was nice possession play, too.

Preston have looked listless when in the ball in Alexander's previous six games, but in the opening 45 minutes they confidently knocked it around between themselves in tight triangles, with the front three - Devine, Callum Lang and Thierry Small - constantly switching positions to drag the Saints back line out of shape.

Andy Moran was at the heart of everything, too, he charged about to win the ball, passed it short, pinged it long, pushed high and looked to shoot whenever he could. He was still running full pelt in the 93rd minute of an unreal performance and shows this should have been far more than his second league start of the season.

That positivity directly lead to the ball falling perfectly for Jordan Thompson to absolutely leather home a volley into the bottom corner.

A true moment of spectacle that summed up just how good that first half was. Easily the best under Alexander so far, and all stemming from his man-management and brave selection decisions.

Graham Alexander’s big decisions paid off against Southampton

Thompson had difficult games against Stoke and Sheffield United. If not for Leo Leroy's suspension, he may well have been a sixth change in the starting XI.

Instead, he remained in the team but his role was simplified. Instead of working in tandem with his partner, he was asked to sit tight right in front of the defence. Win the ball and pass it on. He was first to loose balls, made steaming challenges and got the sensational goal his performance deserved. It was his sitting that allowed Moran the freedom to be effective at both ends of the pitch.

Then Alexander's changes worked, too. Lang lead the press with gusto, Small brought pace and directness to the front three, Liam Lindsay gave the defence steel and resiliency, Alfie Devine looked sharp and committed. A strong response in his first start in three, showing that Alexander's 'honest' conversations are already having a positive impact.

The most eye-popping change came between the sticks. Daniel Iversen benched in the league for the first time since signing for Preston and in his place Lee Nicholls for his league debut.

The goalkeeper had a quiet first half, but was colossal as Saints turned the screw late on. Leaping high to claim ominous crosses, commanding his box, making vital saves, including one tremendous one-handed save to deny a thunderous shot from Wellington.

Any manager was going to start feeling some pressure after six winless games, even a club legend, but this performance and result could not have justified Alexander's approach to managing his players on a personal level, what he demands of them every day and his decision-making capabilities any more.

Preston may still be bottom, but this was a sign of what could come if the hard work continues and the sun is allowed to rise.

Besides, it took David Moyes eight games to get his first win in the league. Alexander has done it in seven.