Blades cut down by Lilywhites

A Preston side boasting seven Graham Westley signings in the starting line-up lost 2-1 at promotion-chasing Sheffield United.

Graham Cummins bagged his fist goal for North End to give the visitors the lead, but Ched Evans scored twice after missing a first-half penalty. Evans was fouled by Aaron Brown inside the area shortly after the half hour, only for Lilywhites goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann to thwart his weak effort. In the 38th minute Cummins headed home Nicky Hunt's cross, but it was all square four minutes later when Evans pounced from close range Matt Lowton's header came back off the bar and James Beattie's follow-up was cleared off the line as the home side pressed for a winner. The resulting corner, taken by Lee Williamson, was only half-cleared and Evans beat Stuckmann with a firm drive for his 21st goal of the season seven minutes from time.