'Strong impact', 'Nuisance' - Preston North End player ratings vs Bristol City with four 8/10s

Preston North End secured survival and Bristol City booked their play-off place, with a 2-2 draw on the final day of the season at Ashton Gate.

The Robins’ home was a picture in the Bristol sunshine and boomed with noise pre-match - a play-off place the target for Liam Manning’s men, who started the day in fifth. PNE had their own big business to take care of, though, having plummeted into a final day relegation dogfight with Hull, Luton, Derby and Stoke. Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom made one change to his starting XI with Ryan Ledson replacing Stefan Thordarson; bite would be needed from the off, and the No.18 perhaps only had an hour or so in the tank.

With news of Hull taking the lead at Fratton Park and it one apiece between West Brom and Luton, nerves certainly started to swirl. On the pitch, though, Preston were more than holding their own - giving Bristol City little encouragement and quietening the fired up home faithful. Just before the half-hour mark, North End’s grit and concentration was rewarded when - at last - a corner resulted in the opening goal. Robbie Brady’s delivery, as ever, was on the money and Emil Riis, likely playing his last game for PNE, headed home.

North End’s day was going about as well as you could’ve hoped at the interval and it got a whole lot better on the hour. Ben Whiteman threaded a defence splitting pass through to Milutin Osmajic, who took the ball in his stride and rolled the ball under the on rushing max O’Leary. The Robins looked gone at that stage and with West Brom putting Luton to the sword - and Portsmouth level with Hull - Heckingbottom’s side had one hand on survival.

Bristol City, mind, still had time on side and hope was restored for them on 69 minutes. A looping cross to the back post caught North End out and Ross McCrorie arrived to bullet home with his head. As secure and solid as Preston had looked all afternoon, in-game adversity is not something they have dealt particularly well with over the course of the campaign. Ashton Gate was alive once again and just five minutes later, McCrorie sent the decibels soaring up another notch with his second of the game.

Here are our player ratings from Ashton Gate.

Starting XI

Dai Cornell

Not a great deal he could do about either goal. Got something on the first but power beat him. 6

Jordan Storey

Looked up for the fight from the start. McCrorie snuck in for City’s first but it wasn’t really his fault. 7

Liam Lindsay

Put in a strong first half performance. Robins carved the defence open for two-two. Steady overall. 7

Lewis Gibson

Decent defensive display. Nice and composed in possession. 7

Kaine Kesler-Hayden

An industrious display on the right and looked to get forward at every opportunity. Didn’t get back in for the first Robins goal. 6.5

Ryan Ledson

Had to tread carefully after an early booking for a strong challenge. He left it all out there and did the dirty work well. If that’s his last game for PNE he leaves with his head held high. 7.5

Ben Whiteman

North End needed the captain to be at it and he was. Control and conviction in his passing and provided an excellent assist for the second goal. 8

Andrew Hughes

A committed shift up and down the left. Did a decent job for the team. 7

Robbie Brady

Had a strong impact once again. Provided a goal threat and assisted the opening goal. 8

Emil Riis

In the right place, at the right time to head home a priceless opening goal. Worked extremely hard and was a nuisance for the hosts. 8

Milutin Osmajic

Like his strike partner, relentless in his work rate. Took his goal excellently. 8

Substitutes

Stefan Thordarson

Drilled a shot wide from range. Wasn’t able to get into the game too much as Bristol City pulled a goal back shortly after he came on. 6

Sam Greenwood

Had a positive run down the left and delivered a dangerous cross. Sent a last gasp free-kick into the wall. 6.5

Ched Evans

Put himself about for the final 10 minutes and got in the Robins’ faces. 6.5