Peterborough United were beaten 2-0 by Preston North End in the Coca-Cola Championship at Deepdale and manager Darren Ferguson was again left scratching his head at the poor defending on show by his side.

Posh reached their first target of not conceding within the first couple of minutes at Deepdale against a Preston North End side including centre back Sean St. Ledger.

Darren Ferguson's men won the first corner kick on five minutes after an erratic punch from Preston number one Andy Lonergan.

However, for all the early optimism, the home side didn't waste too long before opening the scoring as Chris Sedgewick beat Charlie Lee for pace as he attacked the by-line and his simple cut-back was converted from close-range from Neil MELLOR, who was standing all alone in the six-yard box.

Toumani Diagouraga saw a powerful shot blocked by Sean St. Ledger, but moments later, Preston were on the attack again and but for good positioning from Joe Lewis, Jon Parkin would have headed home a second goal.

Russell Martin then made a last-ditch tackle to stop Barry Nicholson from getting a shot on goal as North End cut Posh open. Craig Mackail-Smith wasted a good opportunity following a slick Posh build-up but his touch was heavy and Lonergan thrawted him.

Ferguson's men created another good chance to score on 22 minutes after Boyd was allowed time and space to cross, but after picking out Mclean, the striker saw his effort fly over the crossbar.

A nasty injury sustained by Barry Nicholson, which was actually whilst fouling Boyd, saw him depart the action on 27 minutes with Darren Carter introduced.

Lee immediately curled a shot wide of the target after Batt caused problems for the Preston defence in the air. Another dreadful piece of positioning from Lee cost Posh a second goal on 32 minutes as JONES was allowed a free run into the penalty area and he coolly slotted the ball over the advancing Lewis.

Lee was hauled off by manager Darren Ferguson as Tommy Rowe was given a chance to shine at left-back

Zakuani was carded in first half stoppage time for a foul by the by-line to give Preston one last opportunity before the half-time interval. it came to nothing, with Coutts clearing at the front post. 

Half-time: Preston 2-0 Posh

Darren Carter squandered a good chance moments after the interval following an intelligent cut-back from Wallace as Preston made a lively start to the second period.

A clever knock-down from Batt nearly picked out substitute Lee Frecklington inside the six-yard box as Posh looked dangerous on the attack.

Morgan produced two superb last-ditch tackles to keep the score at 2-0 with Posh over-committing in attack to try and get a way back into proceedings.

Ferguson's men were definitely on top though and with 25 minutes remaining, the next goal would definitely be crucial, if Posh snatched a lifeline back into the game it would make for an interesting final quarter of the game.

Joe Lewis made a smart stop to deny Sedgewick's drive on 69 minutes as North End got a bit of luck on the edge of the penalty area. Moments later, Jon Parkin wasted a good chance, screwing his shot well wide of the target after good work from Wallace.

A shot from Frecklington was well gathered by Lonergan on 74 minutes after a patient Posh build-up, which saw Mclean, Boyd and Boyd all get touches in good areas of the pitch. Substitute Green fired wide from 25-yards as teh game entered the final 10 minutes at Deepdale.

Wallace missed an open goal late on after the hosts cut open Posh at the back with relative ease, but in fairness to Ferguson, Posh were pressing large numbers in attack. 

Final Score: Preston 2-0 Posh

Posh: Lewis, Martin, Lee (sub Rowe 33min), Zakuani, Morgan, Boyd, Coutts, Diagouraga (sub Frecklington 53min), Batt (sub Green 73min), Mclean, Mackail-Smith. Unused subs: McKeown, Keates, Pearce, Torres.

Attendance: 11,549