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Walsall keeper James Walker had another day to forget as Preston cruised to
their biggest win of the season.
The Saddlers shot-stopper, who was sent off against Preston in the 3-3 draw
between the sides earlier in the season, was dismissed for bringing down Burnley
striker Gareth Taylor on Saturday.
This time Walker escaped a red card for the second consecutive game when he
brought down striker Richard Cresswell, with Graham Alexander ramming home his
11th goal of the season from the resulting penalty after 14 minutes.
George Koumantarakis blew an eighth minute chance to put the Lilywhites ahead
with a shot on the turn from close range, but seconds later the hosts suffered
the loss of defender Michael Jackson following a foul by Brazilian forward
Junior.
The centre-back was replaced by Marlon Broomes, who had been dropped to the
bench for fit-again Rob Edwards, back after a three-match absence with an ankle
injury.
Koumantarakis and Dickson Etuhu missed chances to head Preston further in
front, with the dangerous Eddie Lewis supplying both crosses, but Craig Brown's
men doubled their lead on 28 minutes.
United States star Lewis made a great run down the left and sent in a perfect
cross to midfielder Etuhu, who spun in the box and rifled home his fifth goal of
the season from close range.
Walsall midfielder Steve Corica forced a save from David Lucas, in as a
replacement for groin injury victim Jonathan Gould.
Spaniard Jorge Leitao tried his luck from 20 yards three minutes before the
break but Lucas was equal to the task, while Koumantarakis hit the side-netting
from a similar distance.
Walsall made a bright start to the second half as Portuguese marksman Leitao
stung the fingers of Lucas with a fierce drive, but Etuhu responded with a shot
of his own which failed to trouble Walker seriously.
Walker had to be on his toes to push a Lewis effort round the post and
Saddlers boss Colin Lee responded by bringing on Carl Robinson and Chris Shuker
for Vinny Samways and Corica on the hour.
The changes made no difference as Alexander's 63rd-minute cross was allowed to
bounce twice in the box and top scorer Cresswell turned and fired home his 14th
goal of the season.
The Saddlers went close when Leitao struck the woodwork, but the home side
grabbed their fourth when Cresswell's drilled cross took a deflection into the
path of Koumantarakis, who applied the finishing touch on 73 minutes.
And the South Africa international scored his second five minutes from time
when Alexander's corner struck his shoulder and hit the back of the net.
Teams
Preston: Lucas, Alexander, Jackson (Broomes 9), Lucketti,
Edwards, Cartwright, Etuhu, McKenna (Mears 78),
Lewis (Lynch 74), Cresswell, Koumantarakis.
Subs Not Used: Skora, Lonergan.
Goals: Alexander 14 pen, Etuhu 28, Cresswell 63,
Koumantarakis 73, 85.
Walsall: Walker, Bazeley, Barras, Carbon, Aranalde,
Corica (Robinson 60), O'Connor, Samways (Shuker 60), Matias,
Junior, Leitao (Zdrilic 80).
Subs Not Used: Ward, Birch.
Att: 11,170
Ref: M Pike (Cumbria).
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