'Nowhere near where we want to be' - Heckingbottom

Preston North End held on for a 2-1 win over Swansea City on Wednesday to make it three league victories in a row, despite a lacklustre attacking performance.

The Lilywhites registered just four shots compared to the Swans' 18, but managed to claim all three points after going 2-0 up inside 50 minutes.

"I've got a headache, my voice is gone, I think I had a mini heart-attack second half, it was hard work," manager Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"I'm probably over the moon with it for all the wrong reasons.

"We've won a game where we weren't at our best. We've had to really be resilient, really dig deep."

A Thierry Small wonder goal put North End ahead after eight minutes, with Milutin Osmajic doubling the lead early in the second half but the sub-par performance has given Heckingbottom cause for concern.

"We were nowhere near where we want to be today. We started with energy but were poor with the ball."

With North End looking to return to the top flight for the first time since 1961, their ability to grind out results despite unconvincing performances brings encouragement for the side who currently sit fourth in the table.

"I think we can manage games pretty well so for us to go two up was a big, big thing, but we never wrestled control of the game," Heckingbottom said.

Next up is a visit to Millwall on Saturday (12:30 BST), who are just one point behind Preston. A win could move Heckingbottom's men into second in the Championship going into the final international break of the year.

Listen to the full interview with Paul Heckingbottom and more North End on Sounds.