Preston back to winning ways as Carrick suffers first defeat

It wasn’t the dream start for Michael Carrick in his first game as Middlesborough boss as his side suffered a late defeat to Preston North End.

A thunderous strike from Emil Riis cancelled out Chuba Akpom’s early opener before Jordan Storey headed home in injury time to give North End a much needed three points at Deepdale.

The result reminds Carrick of the job he has inherited after what he felt was a positive week went out of the window when ‘Boro conceded again from two set-pieces. It could’ve been three had Alan Browne’s goal mid-way through the second half not been chalked off for a questionable offside call.

It was the perfect start for the visitors who capitalised on some poor Preston defending with an early corner being missed at the near post by Robbie Brady and Akpom was able to slip away from his marker Ben Whiteman to tap-in from close range after seven minutes.

But just following the half-hour mark, North End levelled the scores after a bit of pin ball came from a Brady free-kick allowed Riis to have an opportunity at goal and his effort nearly broke the net as the ball flew into the roof of the net to draw the Lilywhites back on level terms.

Ryan Lowe had changed the system pre-game following recent criticism over the past few weeks, especially following the shocking defeat away to rivals Blackpool last weekend and set his side up in a 4-3-3 as opposed to the regular 3-5-2.

The change appeared to work and mid-way through the second half, the home side arguably should’ve hit the front when Alan Browne stabbed home for a yard out for it to be ruled out for an offside which certainly bemused three stands of the Deepdale crowd.

But with pressure mounting, North End remained composed and in injury time, a Ryan Ledson free kick was clipped across goal by Liam Lindsay to centre-half partner Storey who looped a header home which set off jubilant scenes in the Town end.

It was just the second home win Preston fans have seen this season, with the other coming against an under-performing West Bromwich Albion side in early October.

As for Middlesborough, it’s a sign for their new manager that things are in need of a turnaround and quickly.

A squad that was expecting to be fighting towards the top of the Sky Bet Championship this season has done exactly the opposite and with two wins in their last nine whilst sitting a place above the relegation zone in 21^st, Carrick needs to be quick with the repair job at the Riverside Stadium.

Next up for the former Manchester United man is a trip to Hull City on Tuesday night whereas Preston will look to make it two wins on the bounce when they play host to Swansea City.

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