By pnefans.co.uk
April 6 2005

Preston put in a a great team performance at Deepdale last night, beating Brighton 3-0 and keeping bang on course for the play-offs.

Play-off chasing Preston proved too good for 10-man Brighton, putting in a rampant display as North End legend Tom Finney watched on his 83rd birthday.

Graham Alexander opened the scoring with a penalty after beng fouled by Gary Hart, who was later sent off.

Brighton's poor marking allowed Richard Cresswell to head home Eddie Lewis' cross from the left wing.

In the second half, Paul McKenna found space to set up David Nugent to stroke home and wrap up the victory.

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Preston manager Billy Davies:

"It was a very, very good performance, obviously. We scored some great goals.

"We had to be patient at the beginning of the game. Patience was the key. We passed the ball very well and showed a lot of composure.

"It was important we kept passing and moving the ball and use the full width of the field."

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Brighton manager Mark McGhee:

"Even with 11 we were playing against a team playing well.

"Gary Hart said he tripped the boy. We thought it was very hard, but the referee felt he had no choice.

"We've now lost six in a row. If you're going to get 44 points, as we have now, you're going to go down. So it's in our own hands now."

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Preston: Nash, Alexander (Davis 80), Lucketti, Mawene, Davidson, Sedgwick (Agyemang 73), McKenna, O'Neil (Folly 84), Lewis, Nugent, Cresswell. Subs Not Used: Ward, Hill.

Goals: Alexander 31 pen, Cresswell 45, Nugent 51.

Brighton: Blayney, Reid, Butters, Dolan (El-Abd 65), Harding, Hart, Oatway, Carpenter, Hammond (McCammon 52), Jones (Knight 52), Virgo. Subs Not Used: Nicolas, Shaaban.

Sent Off: Hart (30).

Booked: Dolan, Reid.

Att: 14,234

Ref: P Prosser (W Yorkshire).