by Steve Garland & Mark Denham

Snapshot

Cardiff City suffered a freak defeat at the hands of play-off chasing Preston North End on Saturday. Two first half goals from Neil Mellor appeared to have given the home side a commanding lead before the Bluebirds were awarded a penalty kick on the stroke of half time; Ross McCormack was denied his eleventh penalty goal of the season though by the outstretched arm of Andy Lonergan.

City started the second half brightly, though were three behind within six minutes of the restart as Jon Parkin slotted home. A Mark Kennedy own goal three minutes later meant there would be no way back for Dave Jones' men and Preston completed the rout in the final quarter with goals from Chris Brown and Lee Williamson.

Team News:

A big surprise for the Bluebirds, as Roger Johnson was declared fit to play having been passed fit after a late check up on his throat injury. Johnson had been a doubt earlier in the week following the clash with Claude Davis in City's last away game, keeping him out of the 3-1 victory over Burnley last Monday. Darren Purse drops to the bench.

Michael Chopra also loses his starting place making way for Ross McCormack who moves up front to partner Jay Bothroyd, Peter Whittingham brought into the midfield to play wide right.

Joe Ledley continued on the left flank as Stephen McPhail and Gavin Rae pair up again in the centre of the park.

Chronological Report:

On a glorious day at Deepdale both sides started nervously, trying to suss each other out in the opening stages and it looked set to be a very tight match between two very evenly matched teams. City's first chance came on the ten-minute mark. Peter Whittingham hit a long ball forward from the right in search of Jay Bothroyd, who shrugged off the challenge of Sean St Ledger, creating space, but his touch was poor and he could only tamely shoot into the body of Preston keeper Andy Lonergan.

Joe Ledley was the next to test Lonergan five minutes later. Joe shot on the half volley from a Jay Bothroyd knock down, but it proved to be an easy save for Lonergan, Ledley's effort right in the centre of goal.

But just as City started to find their feet in the game, a long hopeful free kick from Preston landed at the feet of Neil Mellor, evading the Cardiff defence in the 18-yard box. North End top scorer Mellor produced a tame shot that deflected off the returning Roger Johnson, leaving Stuart Taylor helpless as he watched the ball dribble into the back of the net.

Goal: Preston North End 1-0 Cardiff City (Neil Mellor 16)

City looked to respond immediately and pushed forward looking for an equaliser. Peter Whittingham and Joe Ledley were providing some good delivery into the Preston box but no one was there to meet and convert.

And it was a Whittingham delivery that gave Cardiff their first chance to level the scores. Whitts' in swinging corner met Gabor Gyepes at the back post, who jumped well but could only head the ball into the ground and into the waiting arms of Preston keeper Lonergan.

City did not have to wait long for their next chance as Kevin McNaughton's run down the right allowed him to pass inside to the unmarked Ross McCormack just outside of the 18-yard box. Ross crossed in to the towering Jay Bothroyd who leaped well at the back post, but could only head over the bar under the challenge of Youl Mawéné.

With just ten minutes left in the first half, it looked as though Preston had overcome the Cardiff onslaught as they started to regain their impetus in the match. Ross Wallace, who was doing well down the left produced another good delivery that met the head of Youl Mawéné, who nodded the ball back into the danger area. Preston captain Paul McKenna met the ball on the edge of the area, whose shot deflected off Neil Mellor, as it went through the mass of players in the box and past the out stretched arms of Stuart Taylor to double North End's lead.

Goal: Preston North End 2-0 Cardiff City (Neil Mellor 40)

But Cardiff did not give up and were given a chance to get back into the match one minute into injury time. Referee Stroud pointing to the spot for a push on Joe Ledley by Billy Jones. Ross McCormack stepped up looking to add to his 10 goals from the spot this season, shooting to Lonergan's right but the Preston keeper got down to it well to flick the ball over the bar, to the delight of the home following at Deepdale as the referee blew for half time. Two deflected shots and a missed penalty made you think it would not be Cardiff's day.

Half time: Preston North End 2-0 Cardiff City

Dave Jones immediately responded to his side's deficit by sending his team out early and introducing Michael Chopra to the proceedings replacing Peter Whittingham.

But early on it did not have the desired effect as the ever-dangerous Ross Wallace burst in from the right and hit a fierce shot towards goal that was saved well by Stuart Taylor, keeping City in the tie.

City's chances in the game were all but buried though when Jon Parkin out capitalised on a Gabor Gyepes mistake at the back. The big striker composed himself well to slot under the out stretched Taylor and give North End a three goal lead.

Goal: Preston North End 3-0 Cardiff City (Jon Parkin 50)

But just as you thought things could not get worse for City a fourth was soon on the way for the Lancashire side. A cross from Neil Sedgwick on the left was left to bounce in the six-yard box by the City defence. With no challenge from any Preston player Mark Kennedy looked to clear with his head but could only find the inside of the post and into the back of the net. It was now an impossible task for City.

Goal: Preston North End 4-0 Cardiff City (Mark Kennedy O.G 53)

Miguel Comminges subsequently replaced Kennedy as Neil Mellor was denied his hat trick as boss Alan Irvine chose to rest some legs and replace his top goals corer with Steve Elliott and also bring off strike partner Jon Parkin for Chris Brown.

Despite being 4-0 down the 1500 travelling Cardiff fans were still in good voice but they were soon heading for the exits as Preston scored a fifth. Chris Sedgwick, who had been causing trouble for the Cardiff all game long, whipped in another cross from the right. This time sub Chris Brown met the ball with his head to slot home past Stuart Taylor to his left and compile a terrible day at the office for Cardiff City.

Goal: Preston North End 5-0 Cardiff (Chris Brown 75)

City's performance did not warrant the 5-0 score line as the Bluebirds suffered some poor slices of luck throughout the game but now City had switched off and with Preston still looking for more, Lee Williamson broke through the Cardiff defence to slot home his first goal for the club and Preston's sixth.

Goal: Preston North End 6-0 Cardiff (Lee Williamson 86)

The man of the match award went to goalkeeper Andy Lonergan and as it suggests, City had threatened the Preston goal. But it was one of those days for Cardiff and one that they will hope to forget sooner rather than later as they prepare to travel to Charlton in the week looking to bounce back.

Full Time: Preston North End 6-0 Cardiff City

Teams:

Cardiff City: Stuart Taylor, Kevin McNaughton, Mark Kennedy (Comminges 65), Gabor Gyepes, Roger Johnson, Joe Ledley, Steve McPhail, Peter Whittingham (Chopra 45), Gavin Rae, Ross McCormack, Jay Bothroyd (Eddie Johnson 75).

Subs not used: Tom Heaton, Darren Purse

Preston North End: Andy Lonergan, Youl Mawéné,Lee Williamson, Sean St Ledger, Billy Jones, Chris Sedgwick, Paul McKenna (Carter 77), Ross Wallace, Eddie Nolan, Jon Parkin (Brown 57), Neil Mellor (Elliott 66)

Subs not used: Liam Chilvers, Chris Neal.