Barnsley battled magnificently for 83 minutes with 10men after goal-keeper Nick Colgan saw red for hand-balling outside the area with just seven minutes gone.
They were only defeated when sub keeper, 18 year old debutante loanee Vito Mannone punched a Simon Whaley cross against Patrick Agyemang's head and the ball rebounded into the net.
The Reds could even have snatched a point when the excellent Martin Devaney saw a cross deflected onto the leg of Preston keeper Carlo Nash by Liam Chilvers but then loop over the bar.
Preston started the game unbeaten at home for over a year and The Red's chances of changing that seem to have evaporated just seven minutes in.
Poor defending from wing backs Neil Austin and Paul Heckingbottom saw Agyemang played onside as he raced clear.
Colgan raced out of his area to close him down and knocked the ball with his hand as he tried to divert it away.
I must admit, I nor most people had noticed but the eagle-eyed linesman had and after a word in the ref's ear Colgan was dismissed.
Now in the rules, it is a correct decision but unless a goal is a certainly the rules need to be changed! Off came striker Marc Richards so Mannone could take his place in goal and you could just imagine the men at SKY sighing at the prospect of a defensive Barnsley performance.
But for a side that are one of the highest scorers in the Championship and had conceded more than ANYONE in the Football League before last weekend defensive is not in Barnsley's vocabulary.
Paul Hayes did struggle as a lone striker but The Reds with Sam Togwell back in excellent from did fire forward as often as they could.
Inevitably though The Reds looked shaky at the back with Mannone in particular looking unsure, with crosses a particular worry.
And it was his fallibility at crosses that ultimately cost Barnsley the game.
Whaley, who gave Heckingbottom a torrid first half, sent in his umpteenth cross into the area after half an hour and in an attempt to clear, Mannone inadvertently punched the ball against the face of Agyemang and in.
The fact it came instantly after Hayes had spurned a glorious opportunity for The Reds just added insult to injury.
The real fear now was that, like at Norwich when The Reds went down to 10 men, they could collapse and lose by 5 or 6.
But, and quite surprisingly, Preston seemed content on defending that slender advantage and it was upto Barnsley to force the pace.
Which in the second half they did.
Future Premiership striker David Nugent did waste two good chances to finish the game but The Reds were camped in the Preston half.
With 15 minutes remaining Andy Ritchie brought on Tommy Wright for Austin and The Reds went two upfront.
Howard, Hassell and Devaney all went close but THE chance was undoubtedly Devaney's deflected cross, somehow turned over by Nash's outstretched leg.
The night also took a turn for the worse at the with 6 minutes to go when stand-in skipper Bobby Hassell limped off to be replaced by Robbie Williams and could leave The Reds with a potential defensive crisis as Paul Reid and Dale Tonge were both ruled out last night by injury.
BarnsleyBoy's Verdict:
Overall then a very spirited display after being dealt a huge blow in the opening 10 minutes. Who knows what could have happened with 11 men on the field?
There is certainly nothing to fear in the Championship!
Player Ratings:
Nick Colgan: His night ended prematurely. Although it was probably an instinctive reaction to go in with his hands it probably cost Barnsley the game. 4
Neil Austin: Was caught out a little in the first half but looked solid in the second period in what was his first league appearance since April. Subbed. 6
Bobby Hassell: Held the defence together superbly after Colgan's sending off. His withdrawal with injury at the end is a huge worry. Subbed. 8
Antony Kay: Another good performance. Had to help out Heckingbottom countless times in the first half. Most impressed now by his ability to bring the ball out of defence rather than hitting aimless long balls. 7
Paul Heckingbottom: Woeful. Whaley did him inside out countless times in the first half. It was a major surprise that Preston went defensive in the second half and let him off. Replaced Devaney as the team's weak link. 4
Martin Devaney: Running at defences he is unplayable. Did everything possible to try and get Barnsley on level terms. 8
Brian Howard: Always buzzing and involved. Sent one long ranger just over. 7
Sam Togwell: Back to his imperious best. His tackling and passing was back to spot on. 8
Michael McIndoe: Was The Reds best attacking outlet in the first half but surprisingly in the second half when The Reds became an attacking force, he went quiet. 6
Marc Richards: Unlucky to be sacrificed for Mannone to take Colgan's place in goal. 5
Paul Hayes: Struggled in the lone striker's role but missed a great chance seconds before Preston got the all important goal. Improved slightly when Wright came on to partner him but it just want his night. 5
Substitutions:
Vito Mannone (for Richards 7) was understandably nervous at getting an unexpected debut infront of the SKY cameras and his poor judgement gave Preston the winner. He can't be totally judged on this game though. 5
Tommy Wright (for Austin 74) Although his individual impact was limited, the fact his introduction gave The Reds two men upfront gave the team more confidence to attack. 6
Robbie Willams (for Hassell 84) Replaced the injured Hassell and was captain for the closing minutes. 6
Unused Substitutes:
Rob Atkinson, Colin Healy.
BarnsleyBoy's man of the Match:
Martin Devaney, Sam Togwell and Antony Kay all put in fine performances but Bobby Hassle put in a true captain's display. His injury concerns me!
Most Impressed By Preston's: Simon Whaley. Destroyed Heckingbottom in the first half.
Ref Watch: Richard Beeby: Ruined the game after just 7 minutes, rules or no rules. 5
Coca-Cola Championship Results: Friday 22nd September 2006
Preston 1-0 Barnsley
Saturday 23rd September 2006:
Burnley 2-3 Southampton
Crystal Palace 1-0 Coventry
Ipswich 3-1 Sunderland
Leeds 3-2 Birmingham
Leicester 0-0 Colchester
Luton 2-2 West Brom
Plymouth 3-1 Norwich
QPR 2-0 Hull
Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Derby
Wolves 2-0 Stoke
Barnsley lie in 16th place in the Championship with 11 points from 9 games. We are 5 points off the Play-Offs, 6 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 6 points off First Place and 3 Points clear of the Relegation Zone.
Next Up:
At Oakwell:
Coca Cola Championship Matchday Ten: Barnsley v Luton Town Saturday 30th September 2006 Kick-Off 3pm.
Tickets for the big game are priced at:
East Stand and West Stand Upper Tiers
Adults £22.00
OAP/Juvenile £13.00
Juveniles (U11) £7.00
Barnsley Chronicle Family Area
Adults £22.00
OAP £13.00
Juvenile £13.00
Juveniles (U11) £7.00
East Stand Lower and West Stand Lower
Adults £21.00
OAP/Juveniles £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
Enterprise PLC Stand (Pontefract Road End)
Adults £20.00
OAP/Juveniles £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
All Disabled Areas £20.00
Helpers FREE OF CHARGE
To book tickets for forthcoming matches simply phone the Oakwell Box Office on 01226 211200. Alternatively call at the Box Office in person; contact the Box Office by fax on 01226 211444 or e-mail
boxoffice@barnsleyfc.co.uk. Please note that Juvenile U11 tickets must be purchased in advance from the Oakwell Box Office and this price will not be on sale on the turnstiles under any circumstances.On The Road:
Coca-Cola Championship MatchDay Eleven: Sheffield Wednesday v Barnsley Saturday 14th October 2006 Kick-Off 3pm.
Tickets:
Adults - £19.00
OAPs (Over 65) - £10.00
Juveniles - £10.00
Please note that all seats in the away end at Hillsborough could have a post in view, as indicated on the tickets.
Official Reds On The Road coaches will be making the trip to Swillsborough
Tickets: £8
The coach leaves Oakwell at 1pm on the day of the game.
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