It had to be Small, didn't it?

You know when they say - may the best team win? Well, they did.

Preston may have been fortuitous with their first goal with the contentious throw-in and a wicked deflection but overall it was a deserved win due to their overall dominance of play.

Going into the game, I must confess to having a sense of foreboding. We very rarely get anything up at Deepdale. I do remember one triumph - a 2-0 win following our relegation from the Premier League in 2007 with goals from Chinese international Zheng Zhi and Luke Varney.

PNE have already taken some notable scalps at home this season, defeating Leicester and Ipswich, who were both competing in the Premier League in 2024-25.

However, Hull did demonstrate in their previous game, you could get around their defence, but once again, our assorted collection of forward players failed to deliver.

It took a deflection off Kayne Ramsay following a shot from former Charlton player Thierry Small to break the deadlock.

It had to be Small, didn't it? Charlton fans never learn. If you goad a player, it can come back to haunt you. Just ask Macauley Bonne. Guess it's all part of our wonderful football banter.

Nathan Jones was rather perplexed when receiving a yellow card from referee James Linington at the final whistle, as he sought to book an appointment in the referees' room regarding the throw-in incident and also one or two other decisions.

There was no caution for me when I politely enquired his reasoning for sending off Christian Dailly in a match at Leyton Orient in 2010. I was introduced to him the following day on his home turf in the Isle of Wight at an FA Cup qualifying match between Newport IOW and Kidlington (groundhopping adventure). A most pleasant chap.

So, all in all, a bad day at the office. Tiredness, inclement weather, lack of fluidity, etc. Whatever it was, we can still be satisfied with our 12-point haul after nine games.

One aspect for Jones to ponder over the next fortnight in this international break, is whether to reshuffle our forward pack. Personally, I would favour Tanto Olaofe and Miles Leaburn.

One thing is for sure, Jones will not rest as he continually strives to evolve this south-east London sleeping giant.

Paul Sullivan provides commentary on Charlton Athletic games for the visually impaired.