“The Margins Are So Fine” – Paul Heckingbottom Reacts to Lincoln City Loss

Lincoln City inflicted a sixth defeat in seven matches on Preston North End as Freddie Draper’s late header secured another hard-earned Championship victory for the Imps.

Speaking to the Lancashire Post after the game, Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom admitted there had been no surprise in the way the contest unfolded. His side had largely restricted City’s set-piece opportunities, but ultimately failed to deal with the weapon which decided the game.

“No surprise in terms of how difficult the game was and the pattern of the game,” he said.

“I’m really frustrated that 90% of the time, we limited the number of corners against and set plays, and we did deal with them, but it was ultimately their biggest weapon.

“While we’re not getting in front, they are going to have their opportunities.”

Preston enjoyed more possession and created several promising openings, particularly during the first half. Johnny Kenny fired over after a mistake in the City midfield, while George Wickens was required to tip away Andrija Vukčević’s looping delivery and later parry Stanley Mills’ drive over the crossbar.

However, the hosts repeatedly failed to apply the decisive touch. Heckingbottom accepted that their inability to turn possession and pressure into goals could not continue to be treated as an excuse.

“That’s something we have to put right. It’s not an excuse, and I said to the players there, the only way to stop that noise at the end of the game is to win games.

“There’s no lack of effort there, I get that, but we’re not the ones forcing the big moments to go our way. I don’t know how many shots we had, but they made a lot of blocks.

“There were so many more opportunities which were balls across the box, or really dangerous, but we’re not the ones getting the touch.”

That assessment reflected much of the contest. Preston reached some useful positions without regularly forcing Wickens into major saves, while Sonny Bradley, Deji Elerewe and Andrei Coubiș defended the penalty area superbly.

Dom Jefferies also made an immediate contribution from the bench, clearing off the line with virtually his first touch after replacing the injured Daniel Oyegoke. Heckingbottom felt the difference between the teams was Lincoln’s determination to force the decisive moment at the opposite end.

“Ultimately, again, I thought they defended their box really, really well, and they’re the ones who forced a scrappy goal at the other end. Credit to them.”

Heckingbottom was particularly frustrated because his players had spent much of the afternoon successfully dealing with a threat they knew would be central to Lincoln’s approach.

“I watched it back and it went in with no pace. We’d done all the work and, like I said, the boys dealt with it for the majority of the day.

“We took that threat away from them, but someone told me that when they played Blackburn the other day and didn’t score from a set play, it was the first time in 30 games that they hadn’t scored from one. We know and respect that, and we tried to deal with it.”

The claim about City’s set-piece record underlines the reputation Cohen and Shaw’s side have developed, even if the precise run may depend on how goals following second phases are classified. Preston dealt with the initial threat for long periods, but Lincoln’s persistence eventually created the one opportunity Draper needed.

“Those are key moments and we have to get every little detail right. We have to be the ones who win the game through a set play or, ultimately, a bit like Lincoln today, be the ones who force the ball in and get the scrappiest goal.

“The margins are so fine, you can see that.”

For Heckingbottom, the defeat increased the pressure surrounding his position after a deeply disappointing start to the season. Preston may feel their performances have deserved a better return, but Lincoln were the side who defended the critical moments, imposed their strongest weapon and found a way to win.