Yeovil Town 3-1 Preston North End: Glovers hit back to claim seventh straight win

Two goals in seven second half minutes ensured Yeovil Town thwarted Preston North End's time-wasting tactics to earn a deserved seventh straight victory.

Chris Beardsley gave Graham Westley's men a first half lead against the run of play, the strike prompting Preston to do all they could to upset the game's rhythm.

However, strikes from James Hayter and Nathan Ralph saw the better side prevail in npower League One before Paddy Madden's 17th of the season capped a victory that still left them outside of the play-off spots.

Johnson had no reason to change the side triumphant at Coventry City, whilst former Glover Paul Huntington started on his first return to Huish Park.

With just five minutes on the clock, Luke Ayling's ball down the right channel released James Hayter who raced into the box and fired at a defender.

On 18 minutes Ayling was encouraged to push forward, played a one-two with Joe Edwards, crossing for Paddy Madden. The Irishman's sweeping shot was ricocheted off Andy Procter.

Four minutes later an excellent Yeovil move culminated with Madden's centre. Preston failed to clear but Joe Edwards' subsequent volley from the edge of box rifled into the ground and lost power.

Kevin Dawson latched on to a diagonal ball on 26 minutes, crossing for Ed Upson to flick straight at a defender from close range.

Having bossed proceedings without a breakthrough, the Glovers were given a taste of their own recent medicine on the half hour mark, falling behind to a goal on the counterattack.

Having been thoroughly second best, Preston led thanks to Chris Beardsley's angled shot after the striker got the wrong side of Dan Burn.

Ten minutes before the break Upson's turned quickly and shot from 20 yards but with keeper Declan Rudd struggling, the ball fizzed over the bar.

Moments later Madden had the ball in the net having latched on to Burn's flick from Jamie McAllister's free kick but the offside flag was raised.

As an unimpressive Preston did all they could to slow the game, skipper McAllister proved the catalyst for Yeovil's final attack on 42 minutes. He released Dawson but his low cross hit a divot and Madden blazed over, leaning back.

North End signalled their intent to take their time in the second half as soon as they returned for period, coming out after Yeovil and then going through a touch line warm-up routine.

As Yeovil grew frustrated, Preston created an opening on 58 minutes, hitting their hosts on the break. Lee Holmes crossed for Beardsley who was only denied by a superb diving parry from Marek Stech.

The introduction of Lewis Young and Ralph sparked the fight back on 61 minutes, the equaliser finally arriving 12 minutes later.

Madden popped up on the right side of the area and Hayter got ahead of both the Preston defence and Upson to clip home the top scorer's fierce drive to flick in.

Ralph then capped an excellent contribution on 79 minutes, pouncing on a poorly defended McAllister free kick and lashing home.

The visitors' time wasting tactics suddenly disappeared with an urgency returning to their game. However, it proved too little too late as Yeovil clung on to a deserved win, finalised by Madden's cool injury time finish for his ninth goal in six appearances.

MATCH STATS

Yeovil Town (4-4-2) - Stech; Ayling, Webster, Burn, McAllister; Dawson (Young, 61), Upson, Edwards, Foley (Ralph, 61); Madden, Hayter (Appiah, 80). Unused subs: Hinds, Blizzard, Williams, Stewart.

Goals: Hayter 72, Ralph 79, Madden 90 +3

Bookings: McAllister (foul).

Preston North End (4-4-2) - Rudd; Connelly, Huntington, Robertson, Davies (Buchanan, 69); Monakana, Welsh, Procter (Keane, 83), Holmes; Beardsley (Cummins, 83), Garner. Unused subs: Stuckmann, Wroe, Hayhurst, Foster.

Goals: Beardsley 30.

Bookings: Beardsley (dissent), Davies (foul), Connelly (dissent).

Ref: Roger East (Wiltshire)

Att: 3,661

YEOVIL TOWN 3-1 PRESTON NORTH END - IN PICTURES

Photos: Yeovil Town 3-1 Preston North End