Preston North End boss Alex Neil says missing out on the play-offs is 'painful' but applauds the efforts of his players

Preston North End manage Alex Neil admitted it was painful to miss out on the play-offs following the dip in results over the second-half of the season.
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The Lilywhites beat Birmingham City 2-0 in their final home game of the season, Patrick Bauer and Brad Potts on target at Deepdale.

Cardiff's win at Middlesbrough means North End can't catch the Bluebirds, leaving Wednesday night's last game at Bristol City as something of a dead rubber.

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Neil was in reflective mood after the Birmingham, pleased with the victory but accepting it was no consolation in terms of not making the top six.

Preston manager Alex Neil on the touchline during the win against BirminghamPreston manager Alex Neil on the touchline during the win against Birmingham
Preston manager Alex Neil on the touchline during the win against Birmingham

"We will always reflect and look back on certain games when we had things in our grasp and we either didn't have a bit of concentration, we didn't see the game out, didn't show a bit of composure," said Neil.

"I think Luton away really sticks in my throat. That was a game we controlled, very similar to today, and normally we would see it out. Instead we got hit by an absolute sucker punch.

"I think the margins we are working in at the moment is the difference between seeing that phase of play out and an opportunity to get into the play-offs or not.

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"There will be a lot of teams looking back this year and thinking they could have done better in this game or in that game.

Brad Potts celebrates his goal with Jayden StockleyBrad Potts celebrates his goal with Jayden Stockley
Brad Potts celebrates his goal with Jayden Stockley

"There have been a lot of good performances which maybe merited more than they got.

"It is painful because we are very competitive, we want to win, we want to get into the play-offs and try and get promotion. That is not easy.

"We have sold players the last two seasons and that makes it doubly hard. The guys who we have sold have guaranteed us double figures in my time here.

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"You take double figures out of your team and it is difficult to replace those goals.

Alex Neil gives instructions during PNE's win over BirminghamAlex Neil gives instructions during PNE's win over Birmingham
Alex Neil gives instructions during PNE's win over Birmingham

"The one thing I will say is that this group of players have given everything they have got.

"We can be accused of making a mistake here and there, I have certainly made a few mistakes across it, maybe come up short a little bit and not played as well as we can on occasions.

"What we have to bear in mind is that we are one of the smallest budgets in this league, we have sold some key players and recruited younger players from a low level to give them an opportunity.

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"But look at all the teams we are above. I think it is very easy just to look at the negative side - we have dropped out and not made the play-offs.

"If you look at where we are, the expectation on this team and this group has significantly shifted in my time here.

"When I first came here we were happy to compete in the Championship and just be in Championship.

"That is not the case anymore. I'm not saying we should be happy where we are but I think we have to put things in perspective."

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Victory over Birmingham moved PNE up to eighth place, the goals coming late in each half.

Bauer struck in the 43rd minute, with Potts on target with 87 minutes played.

Neil said: "I thought we played well, we deserved the win, we limited them to very little and we had some very good performances.

"But it was another different challenge, it wasn't anything like the Brentford game, not much like the Nottingham Forest game.

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"When we score the first goal, on the majority of occasions it really changed the dynamic of the game for us. When that happens we can invite the opposition on to us and we have guys with real pace who are very good in transitions and counter-attacks."