Preston 1 Walsall 0 - Report and pictures

Yet the manner of it will still sting for the Saddlers.

In the fourth meeting between the teams this season, Daniel Johnson's 19th minute strike was enough to give the Lilywhites victory.

They became the first side since Crawley on October 21 to beat Dean Smith's men on their travels in the league.

During that spell, the Saddlers have often played with a remarkable tenacity but, for the first hour at Deepdale, they were barely at the races.

Results elsewhere mean they remain just four points off the play-offs, but few more performances can be afforded if a top six challenge is to be maintained.

In mitigation, they were facing a far stronger Preston side than the one they beat so impressively over two legs to reach Wembley in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Not only was boss Simon Grayson able to call on top scorer Joe Garner, he also fielded on loan Villa striker Callum Robinson up front.

In Johnson, they had a player who bossed the midfield for most of the night.

In that respect, Smith's decision to rest Romaine Sawyers and hand a rare start to Ashley Grimes in his place came as a surprise.

The Saddlers certainly missed the composure and creativity of their chief playmaker during the first half.

He wasn't the only absentee, with James Chambers returning to starting line-up in place of Paul Downing, who missed out through injury.

Meanwhile left-back Andy Taylor, who struggled at times during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Bradford, was also on the bench with 17-year-old Rico Henry instead handed the start.

But his night lasted only 24 minutes as he had to be replaced by Taylor, after picking up a knock in the build-up to Preston's opener.

Just as in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy meeting on this ground a month ago, the Saddlers found themselves on the back foot early on.

Indeed, they were indebted to goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell for ensuring they did not fall behind sooner than they did.

Garner, who missed both that game through injury, had the first chance of the game but sent his diving header straight at O'Donnell, after reaching Paul Gallagher's deep cross.

The goalkeeper's next save was more impressive as he threw himself to his right to keep out Gallagher's half-volley, after a Chris Humphrey cross found the winger in space and unmarked at the far post.

From the hosts fourth corner in the opening nine minutes, Garner then forced O'Donnell into another sharp save with a header.

Garner then should have done far better soon after, when he could only roll his finish straight at the shot-stopper having broken into the box.

Johnson showed him how to do it on 19 minutes when he scored his second in as many games to put the hosts ahead.

Goals: Johnson 18

Preston (3-5-2): Clarke (Wiseman 56), Wright, Huntington, Humphrey, Johnson, Gallagher, Welsh, Gallagher, Garner (Davies 90), Robinson (Kilkenny 79).

Substitutes not used: Stuckmann (GK), Buchanan, Reid, Ebanks-Blake.

Substitutes not used: Flatt (GK), Doherty, Ebanks-Landell, Hause.

Walsall (4-2-3-1): O'Donnell, Purkiss, O'Connor, J Chambers, Henry (Taylor 24), Cain , A Chambers, Forde (Baxendale 76), Grimes (Sawyers 60), Cook, Hiwula.

Substitutes not used: MacGillivray (GK), Preston, Flanagan, Murphy.

Substitutes not used: Kiraly (GK), Hoogland, Parker, Kacaniklic, Burn.

Referee: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire)

The goal owed much to a fine first time pass out to Humphrey which allowed the wide man to run at Henry.

He tumbled over they entered the box and could only watch in despair as the ball was pulled back for Johnson to fire home.

Henry needed treatment and his evening ended soon after that as he was replaced by Taylor.

Paul Huntington might have quickly made it two but could get no purchase on his attempted finish from a Gallagher free-kick.

Humphrey shot straight at O'Donnell from a good position before Robinson stretched to nod wide from a Gallagher cross.

It was much to the displeasure of Garner, who had been in a far better position following in behind.

The Saddlers attacking efforts in the opening half amounted to long range shots from Anthony Forde and Michael Cain, both of which flew well wide of the target.

And the second period then began ominously as Gallagher crashed a long range effort off the bar within the opening 40 seconds and Garner headed the rebound over the bar.

Home skipper Tom Clarke was the next to test and be frustrated by O'Donnell as his header from a corner was pushed onto the post and behind.

Clarke was injured in the attempt and had to be replaced while James Chambers, who had challenged him, needed a head bandage.

Smith made the inevitable change on the hour as Sawyers replaced the ineffective Grimes.

But it was still Preston looking the more likely to double their lead and Garner, again, went close when he headed wide from a corner.

Robinson also tested O'Donnell with a low drive yet Sawyers' introduction was having an impact, as the visitors attacked with more purpose.

Cain caused home keeper Sam Johnstone his most worrying moment of the night to date, with a shot which bounced just a yard or so wide of the upright.

And the nerves around Deepdale only increased in the final ten minutes when a wonderful Sawyers pass almost saw Hiwula beat the offside trap to go clear.

In stoppage time the Saddlers almost snatched an improbable point when James O'Connor's header was hacked off the line.

Preston would have cried robbery. And sadly, they would have been right.