Preston North End began a busy April with a 1-0 defeat on the road against Birmingham City.
In a goalless first half, PNE had presentable opportunities fall to the likes of Noah Mawene and Robbie Brady, while Lee Buchanan struck the woodwork for the hosts.
Jay Stansfield ended up being the match-winner, though, as he raced through on goal in the 68th minute to score the decider.
Ryan Lowe was without Alan Browne in the Midlands through illness, so named Brady as captain, while 19-year-old Mawene came into midfield for his full professional debut.
After a quiet opening to the game, Freddie Woodman was called into action by Juninho Bacuna 15 minutes in, and the ‘keeper was thankful a minute later to see Jordan James’ strike whistle just wide.
North End created their best moment yet in the 29th minute as a nice move down the right ended with Mads Frøkjær, who opted to cushion a pass off for Duane Holmes instead of shooting, however the touch was too heavy and went out of play.
Another presentable chance fell four minutes later for Mawene, but the youngster couldn’t quite sort his feet out and scuffed a 16-yard strike.
PNE were growing into the contest and captain for the day Brady did so well to knock it past Emanuel Aiwu to go through into the area. Instead of trying to beat John Ruddy, though, the decision was to pass back for Emil Riis, who saw Lee Buchanan sneak in ahead of him and intercept.
The Birmingham City defender then came closest of anyone in the 42nd minute to an opener as he saw a low strike go behind off the post.
Chances didn’t come much more often in the second half, until the 68th minute when the hosts probably couldn’t believe their luck. An unfortunate slip by Liam Lindsay on halfway allowed Stansfield a clear run through on goal, and he slotted beyond Woodman to break the deadlock.
North End made a double switch up top to try and find a way back into the game, with Milutin Osmajić and Layton Stewart coming on, and fellow substitute Liam Millar was also lively down the right.
Ultimately, though, PNE just couldn’t fashion an opening and the points on Easter Monday went to the hosts.
Birmingham City line-up: Ruddy; Laird, Aiwu, Sanderson, Buchanan; Paik (Šunjić, 90+2), Bielik; Miyoshi (Anderson, 81), James (Dozzell, 54), Bacuna (Gardner, 90+2); Stansfield (Hogan, 81). Subs not used: Etheridge, Roberts, Drameh, Dembele.
PNE line-up: Woodman; Whatmough, Lindsay, Hughes; Holmes (Seary, 90+2), McCann, N.Mawene (Millar, 62), Brady; Frøkjær (Woodburn, 62), Riis (Osmajić, 74), Keane (Stewart, 74). Subs not used: Cornell, Cunningham, Storey, Best.
Attendance: 24,511 (1,389 PNE fans).
Referee: Mr O Langford.
