Davis - 5: Had little to do, but still managed a goal-line fumble he got away with. No real chance with the winner, but the winger was always going to go for that far corner.
Extended player ratings: Saints 0 Preston 1
Davis - 5: Had little to do, but still managed a goal-line fumble he got away with. No real chance with the winner, but the winger was always going to go for that far corner.
Wright - 6: Solid, unspectacular performance from Wright who made a couple of vital interceptions at the back post, but lost his man at the all important time leaving Neal in acres of space.
Bennett - 7: Had the odd slip, but recovered well to tidy up his errors. Formed an excellent defensive partnership with Davies and was brave and dominant in the air.
Davies - 8: Quality defending from Davies who deserved a clean sheet with an aggressive and dominant display at the back to restrict Preston to few chances. We need to extend this boy's loan.
Skacel - 6: Hugely impressive going forward with some quality crosses that deserved better, he was something of a liability at the back with Preston having far too much joy down the right hand side. Simply must play further up the field. A left back is the priority for the transfer window.
Hammill - pick a number between 2 and 7: At times wonderful, at times woeful, at least Hammill made something happen on a day when Saints created little. Too easily muscled off the ball, he is still guilty of trying to do too much in his own half.
Euell - 5: Started in dominant mood, passing the ball well and imposing himself on the game, but soon faded out of the picture as the game passed him by. Worked himself a good opportunity late on, but was never going to beat the keeper at the near post. Should have been replaced with Viafara's bite.
Safri - 5: Quiet game by the Moroccan's high standards. His usual tidy passing and biting tackles, but was unable to get Saints playing with insufficient movement in front of him. A pass to absolutely no one in the first half was a collector's item.
Surman - 5: When he got going, so did Saints. The problem was he rarely did as Preston closed down well in midfield. With his talent he really needs to start imposing himself on the game.
John - 6: Despite some excellent link up play, nothing fell for him at all in front of goal, with a combination of poor supply and slips in the box kept him well off the scoresheet.
Wright-Phillips - 4: Had the best of Saints' chances in the first half, but it was one of those days when it just wasn't happening for him. Faded badly in the second half and may well be time for a change up front with Saganowski looking impressive when coming on. Typically Saga may be out with a groin strain.
Substitutes
Saganowski - 6: Signs of the old Saga coming back as he looked in impressive touch with the ball at his feet, but failed to work a chance with his good movement. The less said about the grasscutter from distance the better. Even worse it resulted in what looks to be a pulled groin.
Rasiak - 5: Looked desperate to make an impression and had the best chance of the game to win it with a free header on the edge of the six yard box. Perhaps a sharper Rasiak would have buried it, but it was a superb save from the excellent Lonergan. Needs a longer runout.