Preston North End Fans’ Panel’s Tim Mercer picks out some promising performances

Do not be fooled. A loss here at this pivotal point in the campaign would have seen Preston looking over their shoulders and with the resultant momentum being in a distinctly downward direction.

Instead, it is a skilful-looking Huddersfield who are now in this position in a league that continues to defy logic. The visitors had some quality opening moments and may class themselves as being a little unfortunate at not opening the scoring.

Probably the best of these was an Isaac Mbenza shot from outside the box that keeper Daniel Iverson was able to deflect over the crossbar for a corner.

Iverson was also quick off the mark to save another chance before the hosts took the lead shortly before the 35-minute mark. Ched Evans played a peach of a defence-splitting pass through to Scott Sinclair to put him through on goal.

Despite the Terriers’ keeper parrying Sinclair’s shot, the follow-up by Brad Potts went into the net via a Huddersfield deflection on the goalline.

It was no less than Potts deserved in a much-improved performance on the midweek draw with QPR. In the second period Preston added two more goals, with Evans involved with both.

The first of these saw him convert a delightful finish from a Potts cross. The second was initiated by his superb ball out of defence to substitute Tom Barkhuizen.

Barky took the pass in his stride on the left wing and put in a fine cross with the outside of his right boot to Sinclair for an emphatic final goal that sealed the win.

Evans, Ben Whiteman and young Everton loanee Anthony Gordon were amongst the new players that continue to impress in this evolving team.