Preston Earn Home Point

Last updated : 25 February 2012 By @pnemad

Westley made changes as Macallister returned to Bristol City meaning Parry returned to left back. Brown slotted alongside Robertson at centre back as Marrow and Proctor protected the back four.

Coutts returned after his suspension to play on the right of a narrow midfield with Barton on the left leaving Holroyd to support Cummins in attack.

Neither side really created a gilt edged chance in the first half although the visitors did seem to have the better of possession probing in Preston's defensive third but Stuckmann was rarely troubled in the first forty five.

The game was stopped for almost ten minutes when Adam Barton was stretchered off after going in for a sliding tackle. It appears he has suffered serious ankle damage and was taken to hospital. HIs season may well be over and he was replaced by Mayor.

The stoppage didn't help the flow of the game and it was only just before the break that Preston fashioned a couple of chances forcing the Walsall keeper into action.

The visitors should have taken the lead early int he secondhalf when Preston had their one major lapse of concentration. Walsall had a one on on situation with the keeper but under pressure the shot was dragged to the left of the post.

Iain Hume returned to action as a substitute with half an hour to go and as expected looked rusty but Preston did look more dnagerous with him and Mayor trying to create positions and passes for team mates.

Walsall could have nicked it at the end when Stuckmann was forced into a good save and another shot skimmed the bar. Apart from that Westley will be pleased that on the whole his defence held firm and the team is looking more solid than it was a few weeks ago.

The remainder of the season will give Westley time to bed in that solid base and allow him to look at his attacking options as Preston at times looked short of ideas today.