Sam Ricketts (8) - One of his best games for us at right-back. Looked solid throughout and did well down our right on his own a lot of the time.
Andy Dawson (8) - Had a real fight on to mark Preston's number 8, who was about a foot taller than him, in the first half but coped well. Made a great interception to block a cross in the second half as well.
Michael Turner (8) - His return shouldn't be understated. He had a solid game, nothing spectacular, but after Tuesday we just needed to defend well and get rid of silly mistakes. To keep Preston's forwards quiet is no mean feat.
Damien Delaney (7) - Like Turner, unspectacular and I can actually remember very little of him which is probably a good sign.
Ray Parlour (7) - Excellent delivery with the corner. Not as composed as he sometimes is but worked hard.
Ian Ashbee (8) - Still disappointing when he found the ball at his feet but worked brilliantly to shut out Preston and made some important tackles.
John Welsh - Got to feel sorry for him, his career's been put back so much since we bought him that it's typical when he does finally start he gets injured 4 minutes in.
Nicky Forster (7) - Deserved a goal after his recent efforts. Should have had another though - end product let him down a few times today after brilliant build-up, such as the saved one-on-one and the powerfully hit crosses across the face of goal with nobody there.
Dean Windass (7) - Tries to do everything - we need him to stay in the box and leave Forster and Elliott to chase the ball down the wings. He's most effective when keeping his predatory skills to the penalty area. Did well to get a shot away that hit the post.
Stuart Elliott (6) - Not much went right for him today but the fact he was involved so much to make those errors is a good sign. A few weakly hit shots that scuffed across the surface into the keepers hands that may have flown in a couple of years ago.
Subs
David Livermore (7) - Like Parlour, it wasn't pretty in the middle of the park but he worked hard to grind something out.
Ricardo Vas Te - Looked lively and interested, we await to see whether that'll have an end product if he gets a bit more match time in future.
Nick Barmby - His first touch after coming on was a header won against a Preston centre back. A great moment seeing Deano being given a standing ovation as Brown replaced him with another of our heroes.