Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 Preston North End: Ryan Tafazolli gives Wycombe victory
- Published
Ryan Tafazolli was on song at both ends of the pitch for Wycombe
Ryan Tafazolli's header gave the Championship's bottom side Wycombe Wanderers a deserved victory over Preston North End to end a losing run of four games.
The centre-half rose at the back post to head Joe Jacobson's corner past Preston goalkeeper Daniel Iversen midway through the first half at Adams Park.
The defender had chances before his goal and had come close to opening the scoring with a header that flashed narrowly wide before another which forced Iversen into a fingertip save.
Alex Neil made three substitutions for the visitors at half-time but the Lilywhites took too long to get a foothold in the game and only managed to test Wycombe goalkeeper David Stockdale on one occasion.
Substitutes Anthony Gordon and Brad Potts came close to scoring a second-half equaliser for Preston but Stockdale saved Gordon's effort with his feet and midfielder Potts dragged his shot wide into the side netting.
Uche Ikpeazu almost doubled Wycombe's lead but the striker was denied a simple a tap-in by Sepp van den Berg's last-ditch challenge shortly after the hour mark.
The victory was only Gareth Ainsworth's side's sixth of the season and the Chairboys remain at the bottom of the Championship table and nine points from safety.
Preston are 15th and look set for a mid-table finish with 10 matches to play.
Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"First half I thought we were phenomenal. The way we started, we really went at Preston. There was some real flowing football.
"I asked before the game for nothing less than everything, and asked them if they believed we could stay up and they all believe we can.
"We believe we can stay in this league, we are only nine points of Birmingham. There's a genuine belief in there that we can do this. I'm really pleased and proud of the boys."
Preston North End manager Alex Neil told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"I think the first half I wouldn't even say (I was) angry or annoyed, probably just more disappointment.
"We spoke of the importance of the game for two days and we serve that up in the first 45 minutes - if I'm being honest I didn't even recognise our team.
"We didn't really have enough in the game. It was a poor performance. Am I alarmed about the run of form we are on? Course I am. This is arguably the toughest time we've had."