By Chris O'Brien
April 17 2005

A brace from David Nugent and a late strike from the creative Richard Cresswell condemned City to successive defeats in the Football League Championship. Our position is now looking more than precarious with only a superior goal difference to Brighton keeping the Bluebirds out of the bottom three.

Cardiff City's battle against relegation took a huge blow with a massive 3-0 defeat away at Preston North end, leaving only a decent goal difference keeping the Bluebirds out of the dreaded bottom three as the Football League Championship season reaches its climax.

Football League One is a frightening prospect, but one that became all too real for those City fans who made the journey to Lancashire as promotion hopefuls North End produced a second-half onslaught to sweep aside a besieged Cardiff side. Big improvements will be needed in the seasons concluding four games if Cardiff are to mount a serious survival bid.

Despite Preston's lofty league position and their tremendous form recently, Cardiff made the journey north looking for victory and these aspirations were matched with a pleasing start to the 90 minutes. The visitors enjoyed good spells of pressure, yet few opportunities were created and despite keeping the ball for long periods, a goal never looked like coming. Cameron Jerome had a chance in the opening seconds, and Danny Gabbidon headed a free-kick over the crossbar but Cardiff were disappointing in the final third once again.

Preston were a different team in the second-half and took the initiative, bombarding the Bluebirds backline with constant pressure as they looked to consolidate their play-off push and keep any mathematical hopes of automatic promotion alive. The job Billy Davies has done at Deepdale is superb, and I myself would be pleased to se the Lilywhites gain promotion. Something a little different from the 'usual suspects' and a team who have worked hard for success without a flashy chairman, spaceship stadium or staggering transfer budget.

Our defence finally gave way to the impressive David Nugent on 67 minutes. A cross from Richard Cresswell was only messily cleared away and ended up at the feet of the former Bury forward, who finished past Neil Alexander. Preston's pressure had finally told, and the City heads dropped. The way the game was going, a goalless stalemate had begun to look our best hope, but the defensive endeavours of the battling Bluebirds proved in vain.

Lawrence waved his magic wand from the touchline, but a disastrous and mysterious triple substitutions didn't help matters. The strike partnership of Peter Thorne and Cameron Jerome was replaced with the sober Alan Lee and on-loan Michael Boulding. Meanwhile, the creative Jobi McAnuff was taken off and in his place the Cardiff boss introduced the defensive minded Willie Boland. Hardly tactical genius when your team is pushing for an equaliser, but perhaps his influence counted for something.

Another reverse was made certain eleven minutes from time. An impressive finish from Nugent, a bargain buy from England's basement, followed more vision from Cresswell. It is clear to see how the Lancastrians score so many goals, with opportunities being created left, right, and centre as Billy Davies' side took their impressive run to 3 straight wins and 9 games unbeaten. Nottingham Forest, seemingly relegated after a narrow loss at Reading today, were the last team to take maximum points from an inspiring PNE team.

Cresswell turned scorer in the closing stages to complete the rout, condemning Cardiff to back-to-back losses in the Football League Championship and edge us closer to the feared red zone. He robbed the ball from a hapless Chris Barker and slotted home to seal a comfortable victory.

With a very tough four-game run-in, this was a disastrous scoreline for Cardiff City F.C. Failing to take advantage of some fine early pressure took its toll as Preston showed their class with an excellent second-half display. City now have their game in hand against struggling Leicester City on Tuesday evening, and defeat at the Walker's Bowl will leave even the most dedicated Ninian Park fans fearing the worst. Reading, Gillingham and Queens Park Rangers then finish a disappointing season for the City.

Full Time - Preston North End 3-0 Cardiff City
Attendance - 15,141

Preston North End: Nash, Alexander, Mawene, Lucketti, O'Neil (Etuhu 82), Hill, McKenna, Lewis, Sedgwick (Mears 87), Nugent (Agyemang 90), Cresswell.
Subs Not Used: Davis, Ward.

Cardiff City: Alexander, Vidmar, Collins, Gabbidon, Barker, Ardley, Ledley, Langley, McAnuff (Lee 74), Thorne (Boland 74), Jerome (Boulding 74).
Subs Not Used: Margetson, Williams.