Wait for it, Phil Brown made wholesale changes to the team once again. For those who have been away, pay attention. Proctor was back playing ont he right of a front three with the useless Forte on the left. Tsoumou was nowhere to be seen whilst Hume is still injured.
The midfield, for once, consisted of three midfielder with Coutts, Nicholson and Ashbee playing in the middle of the park with the latter making little or no impact whasoever.
Stuckmann asfter signing a contract extension played well in goal whilst on loan signing Doyle who is a midfielder played at right back - what must McLaughlin be thinking? Morgan and loanee McCombe played in the centre with Parry conitnuing at left back.
Preston started brightly maintaining much of the early possession and a curling shot forcing the Bury keeper into a save and Proctor was offside when he tried to convert the rebound.
If an early goal had come then Preston may have gained momentum but it was from their own corner on 14 minutes that Bury broke. Nicholson was beaten twice before Doyle - the midfielder playing at right back - went half heartedly for the ball and Stuckmann could do little about the finish.
The Whites had one further real chance to get a goal when Proctor created a chance fromt he right through some hard work. His cross defkected off the keeper and Forte had to tap in from less than a yard. His mind was elsewhere as he made a complete hash and failed to throw himself at the ball which would have given him the goal. Forte was cheered off when he was substituted and the fans turned on him.
Brown sent his men out five minutes early for the second half - such an excellent plan from the halfwit manager in the strong winds and heavy rain. It had no effect.
Bury settled for the one goal lead and with Brown loading his bench with defenders could only throw on Daley who was rarely given the ball. Nicholson hit the bar from a header late on and hit wide when it was easier to score but it would have been undeserved.
The home side had several chances to try to get a second but Preston's only decent player, Stuckmann, managed to keep the scoreline to a single goal.
Phil Brown looked dumbstruck at the conclusion as the team were roundly booed and the fans chanted for his head. Both sets of fans pointe out thatBrown's position was likely to be terminated in the morning although that may well be wishful thinking by the Whites.
The team lacked energy, drive and vision with a really flat performance. The players appear to have lost interest and are no longer playing for their manager which in itself is a shame. Either Hemmings funds a whole new squad or he says bye bye to Brown.