November 1 2009

Neil Warnock

Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock praised the match officials after the Eagles came away from Preston with a 1-1 draw.

Ross Wallace got the opening goal for Preston 10 minutes before the break before Darren Ambrose equalised two minutes later.

Preston were awarded a penalty when SHAUN DERRY handled in the area but luckily for Warnock's side, the linesman had spotted an earlier infringement.

Warnock said: "The ref gave a penalty. It's the kind of penalty you get against you at Preston that you don't get against you at Palace. I think it was harsh, he was pushed in the back.

"Fortunately for us the linesman saw the offside and he told him straight away. At first I just thought he had flagged for the penalty. They were decent, the linesmen, spot-on."

Warnock added: "I love coming to Preston, especially when we get a result. We are not on a bad run. I can't fault the lads. The manager can only ask the team to give everything and they do give everything.

"The game was a bit scrappy. I felt we started really well. There were some good performances in that first 15 minutes.

"We lack a little bit of quality up there, but we are trying hard in difficult circumstances. I thought Preston troubled us at set pieces in that first half an hour, but I think we did very well.

"Ambrose is just improving every week - he's a bit like old wine. He plays with a smile on his face. I have a joke with him while he is playing, there is a good rapport.

"He has the freedom to shoot when he wants. He's quite capable of shooting from anywhere. He very rarely gives the ball away.

"We have not got a 20 or 25 goal player. It is hard coming to Preston, they bully you at times and you have to compete.

"Alan has done a great job here. The trouble for Alan is that he does so well that expectations rise every time."

Preston boss Alan Irvine said: "I think a draw was a fair result. I don't think we really deserved to win. I don't think either team did enough to deserve winning the game though.

"Obviously I am disappointed, I was hoping to win. It isn't like the Middlesbrough game a week ago where you think it's terrific we managed to get a point in the death.

"There were contrasting systems of play in the game. There were times when Palace's system was dominating. I thought in the second half ours got on top of theirs.

"We started the game okay, then probably towards half-time they got up a little bit of momentum. We didn't clear the ball."