Oldham Athletic

Eoin Doyle gave the Lilywhites the lead at half time, whilst Joe Garner extended the lead in the final 20 minutes of the game.

One minute later and Latics reduced the arrears through a great strike from Trialist.

However, Cameron Burgess was adjudged to have fouled Jermaine Beckford in the area and Garner smashed home to make it 1-3 to Preston North End.

Steve Robinson again opted for the 3-5-2 formation with Ollie Banks and Peter Clarke both in the starting 11 following their moves earlier today.

Latics almost got off to the worst possible start as Greg Cunningham’s cross was headed goalwards by Simon Makienok but it rebounded off the post and out to safety.

Both new signings started confidently and slotted well into Robinson’s system.

There was a break in play on 13 minutes as a thumping tackle from Jamie Reckord on Calum Woods resulted in the Preston North End man being stretchered off.

Woods was replaced by Chris Humphrey, and on 20 minutes, the visitors took the lead.

Good hold up play from Makienok saw him lay the ball into the path of Doyle who slotted past goalkeeper Connor Ripley to give the Lilywhites the lead.

Ripley was proving to be a busy man as he saw a Doyle chance go wide just before the half hour mark, whilst on 31 minutes he expertly tipped a Callum Robinson shot wide of his far post.

Latics started to grow into the game and enjoyed spells of possession towards the end of the half.

Banks crossed into the box but the ball just would not sit properly for Jake Cassidy, whilst two minutes later, he again just could not connect with a Burgess delivery into the box.

Latics’ best chance of the half came in the 45th minute as Lee Erwin crossed to the back post where Josh Law stood but the wing back just could not wrap his foot around the ball properly.

Athletic almost started the second half in perfect fashion as trialist knocked the ball into the path of substitute Billy Mckay but he curled inches past the post.

However, two minutes later, Ripley again was called upon to keep the score at 0-1. This time Robinson was through but the goalkeeper stood tall to save well.

Marc Klok and Ryan Flynn both went close with efforts whilst Mckay was certainly up for the game, hassling defenders and creating chances.

The second half trialist was proving to be a hit with supporters, and his rapid speed on 65 minutes took him around his defender, he cut the ball back for Luke Woodland but his shot was off target.

Carl Winchester’s introduction meant Latics switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation, however two minutes later, Preston led 0-2 courtesy of Garner.

The striker met a cross into the box and headed past Ripley to extend the Lilywhites lead.

However, only a minute later and Latics reduced the arrears courtesy of a cracking goal from the Trialist.

A corner was laid into his path and from 25 yards he rifled a shot into the top corner to make it 1-2. 

Peter Clarke was replaced by George Edmundson and only seconds later, the visitors had a penalty after Burgess was adjudged to have pulled back Beckford in the penalty area.

Garner stepped up and despite Ripley going the right way, the penalty was too strong and Preston were 1-3 ahead. 

Latics huffed and puffed towards the end of the game but the result was not important. It was a good exercise for the players and will benefit their fitness in preparation for the start of the season.