PNE manager Alex Neil pleased with the start of pre-season

Preston North End boss is pleased with the manner in which his side have started their pre-season programme.
PNE manager Alex NeilPNE manager Alex Neil
PNE manager Alex Neil

The Lilywhites won 6-1 against AFC Fylde on Saturday to follow-up the 7-0 victory at Bamber Bridge last week.

Paul Huntington, Callum Robinson (2), Sean Maguire (2) and Andrew Hughes found the net at Mill Farm, the Coasters replying with a late penalty.

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Neil said: "We have come from playing Bamber Bridge and stepped up a couple of levels to AFC Fylde who made the play-offs in the Conference last season so are obviously a decent level of opposition.

Sean Maguire claps the PNE fans at AFC FyldeSean Maguire claps the PNE fans at AFC Fylde
Sean Maguire claps the PNE fans at AFC Fylde

"I thought it was well-contested, you could see at the start of the game that they meant business and wanted to go about their work properly.

"That can only raise our levels which is good and we have started the pre-season games well.

"To score six goals in any game is pleasing and the fact it could have been and should have been more, is very good.

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"When you look back, we hit the woodwork twice and Callum Robinson scored two more difficult chances than the others he had.

"Louis Moult had a couple of opportunities too so I'm really pleased with how the lads have attacked pre-season.

"I think you can see that in terms of strength in depth, we are stronger than we were last year.

"We got two players per position who you could bring in and out without the levels dipping too much.

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"There are a lot of determined lads out there wanting to try and get a place."

North End used 22 players at Mill Farm, Neil making 11 substitutions at the hour mark.

Tom Clarke and Josh Earl missed the game with injuries picked-up in training.

Neil said: "Tom's groin just tightened-up in training on Friday, it's nothing of note and he should be fine for Tuesday.

"Josh's thigh was tight, it's an ongoing thing whether he will be available for Tuesday's game."