Davis - 7: Another improved display from Kelvin Davis who mopped up well some careless defending from those in front of him. Could have done better on Preston's first goal, but then so could the rest of the defence.
Makin - 5: If the Ipswich performance could be excused as rustiness, this could not. Looked off the pace and offered little going forward, although this may have something to do with Belmadi's defensive ability in front of him.
Lundekvam - 5: For once Claus looked back to his Premiership worst and was cruelly exposed for pace against the talent of David Nugent. Put his head in where it hurt, but well short of his usual high standards.
Baird - 5: Likewise, well short of his imperious best. Arguably Saints player of the season so far looked for once like a right back playing at centre back. Unfortunate to concede the own goal.
Bale - 6: Below par display from teen sensation Gareth Bale who may well have been trying too hard in front of the watching Sir Alex Ferguson. Shackled Nugent expertly in the first half showing there is far more to his game than free kicks and surges down the left flank. His usual great distribution was not helped by the conditions. One very average free kick summed up his night.
Belmadi - 7: The Algerian wizard was once again at the heart of Saints' best moves, providing touches of real quality, as he ran the game in the first half. A joy to watch in possession, he was unlucky not to score in the first half when he put the ball through the keeper's legs, but the Preston stopper got just enough on it to deflect it wide.
Viafara - 7: All action display from Viafara who revelled in the windy conditions. Still a headless chicken in front of goal wasting a good opportunity, but gave his all to the cause.
Wright - 6: Good first half display from Wright who kept the ball moving well in midfield, until he was overrun in the second half by the much improved Preston. His strike from distance set up the goal for Rasiak. Poor when moved to right back, but he isn't a right back, is he?
Surman - 6: Drew, Drew, Drew, what happened to your shooting boots? Got himself into the danger areas far more than against Ipswich, with two lovely spins, but put his shots far too close to the keeper when a calm head was needed.
Rasiak - 6: Totally anonymous for most of the game against two solid Preston centre halves, with Jones doing far more of the donkey work up front. Despite that he managed to score yet again away from home. Can do much more for the side with his ability to hold the ball up.
Jones - 6: Powerful and hard working display from Kenwyne who went off in the second half with a nasty looking injury. Did more than his fair share of the legwork up front, but had few real sights of goal.
Substitutes
Wright-Phillips - 6: Got more of a runout than of late with Jones' injury, but failed to make much of an impact with Saints running out of ideas in the second half. Tried his best when moved onto the right side of midfield, but that's not his natural position.
Saganowski - 6: Little chance to impress. Had a chance with nearly his first touch, but that was it.
Guthrie - 7: Late, but decent cameo from the Liverpool debutant. Showed he has a good passing range and did his best to get involved in the game.