Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Preston: Simon Grayson praises Jordan Hugill
Saturday 2 April 2016 18:53, UK
Preston manager Simon Grayson was delighted for match-winner Jordan Hugill after the forward's fourth goal of the season helped his side come from behind to defeat 10-man Blackburn 2-1 at Ewood Park.
It was going swimmingly for Rovers, who went ahead on 13 minutes through Elliott Ward's first goal for the club, but the course of the game was changed midway through the half when Shane Duffy was sent off for handball on the line and Joe Garner punished his former club by converting the penalty.
And North End completed the turnaround two minutes before half-time thanks to Hugill's cushioned volley.
Despite missing a number of second-half chances, Preston deservedly got the three points that earned them a first Ewood Park triumph since 1979 and Grayson feels the 23-year-old Hugill has earned his run in the team.
He said: "He's done well, Jordan. He's a handful. He knows what he needs to do. It wasn't an easy decision in terms of selection of the team today because I had some real options. Jordan's earned that right and it was a great finish.
"I'm delighted for him. It's a great ball from Gally (Paul Gallagher). He can put them balls in with great quality. He knows where to put it and the areas for people to get into. It wasn't an easy finish but he's delighted and we were all delighted to see it hit the back of the net."
The Duffy penalty decision was the game's main talking point but Grayson was in no doubt the right decision was made as his side stretched their impressive run to just three defeats in 15 Sky Bet Championship outings in 2016.
"I think it was the correct decision. They started the game better than us, I'm disappointed we gave away the goal we did but it's handball on the line and the referee made the right decision," he said.
"We managed to get back into the game and I think in the period after that to half-time we controlled the game.
"We started the second half really well and it could have been put to bed a lot earlier but as the game goes on, they are going to throw things at you."
The defeat means Rovers have lost three of their last four games and they missed out on the chance to climb into the top half of the table.
Paul Lambert, though, was 'baffled' by the refereeing after Danny Graham seemed to be fouled in the build up to Preston's equaliser.
He said: "I'm disappointed to lose. I can't fault the lads for the effort. It was an absolutely fantastic effort with 10 men. I thought we started the game brilliantly, were well on top, got the goal.
"The penalty changes the course of the game but it should never have been a penalty. Danny Graham was fouled at the edge of the box so the ball should have never been at that end of the pitch, because Danny has nutmegged the guy. You can see with Danny's reaction that he's definitely been fouled.
"I thought today, he got more calls wrong than he got right. If there's a delegate here or somebody watching it, maybe they might get a phone call in the morning."
The Rovers boss also refused to blame his defender Duffy after his handball turned the game on its head.
"If you look at it, his back foot has actually gone away from him which makes him go to ground. In hindsight, you're better jumping over it and letting it in and you don't get the red card but listen, Shane Duffy has been excellent for me."
