Preston punish poor second half Owls performance

Match report from the Soccernet website:

Preston added to Sheffield Wednesday's woes by claiming a 2-1 win at Hillsborough. Former Wednesday player Richard Cresswell headed the ball into the path of Jon Macken to score the winner with 12 minutes remaining.

It had all started so well for the hosts, Dutch striker Gerald Sibon heading them in front after 26 minutes with his third goal of the season following Alan Quinn's pinpoint cross. But Preston rallied after the break, with Mark Rankine prodding home an equaliser in the opening seconds of the second period before Macken sealed the win. After a desperately disappointing start to the game, Quinn's weak right-foot shot after 12 minutes was the first strike towards goal either side had mustered in front of a sparse crowd.

Experienced Wednesday goalkeeper Kevin Pressman was in the thick of the action after 19 minutes when, after coming out of his penalty area to clear, he was forced to head the ball to safety as he scampered back towards his 18-yard box following Sean Gregan's attempted lob. Sibon's wicked free-kick from the right was deflected wide by Preston full-back Graham Alexander after 24 minutes and from the resulting corner, skipper Trond Soltvedt headed Owen Morrison's corner over the crossbar.

But Wednesday went ahead two minutes later when Sibon's downward header from Quinn's right-wing cross beat sprawling Preston goalkeeper Tepi Moilanen. North End almost equalised within a minute as the game sprung into life, Northern Ireland international David Healy's free-kick from the edge of the area going inches wide.

The Owls should have extended their lead after 33 minutes though, Soltvedt feeding 19-year-old Morrison who advanced into the area before seeing his left-foot drive parried by the agile Moilanen.

Half-time: Owls 1-0 Preston

Wednesday boss Peter Shreeves was forced to replace goalscoring hero Sibon with Michele Di Piedi at the interval and Preston's Scottish winger Iain Anderson came off for Paul McKenna.

Within seconds of the restart, Preston were level when Alexander's corner from the right caused chaos in the Wednesday defence and former Wolves midfielder Mark Rankine bundled the ball home from close range. McKenna's low shot was comfortably smothered by Pressman after 55 minutes as Preston began to take control with skipper Gregan dictating matters in the middle of the pitch.

Impressive build-up play created space for Rankine 10 minutes later, but his right-foot shot lacked the conviction to seriously test 33-year-old Pressman who remains at the top of his game.

Wednesday, who have failed to win at home in the league all season, had their first chance of the second period after 68 minutes but Piedi's powder-puff shot failed to test Moilanen after impressive work from former Southampton midfielder Soltvedt.

It almost proved costly when the rampaging Alexander supplied Healy with a chance at the other end, but his delicate finish from an acute angle sailed harmlessly over the crossbar. Cresswell replaced Healy with 12 minutes remaining and he made an instant impact as he headed a free-kick into the path of want-away striker Jon Macken who tucked the ball home assuredly for his fifth goal of the season.

Wednesday threw men forward as they desperately searched for an equaliser but apart from substitute Tony Crane's thumping volley that flew just over, they rarely threatened. The Owls have now gone 11 league games without a win.