We were outclassed - Johnson

TOUCHLINE TURMOIL . . . for Athetic boss Lee Johnson, who sees his side well beaten by high-flying Preston.

LEE Johnson admitted his side was comprehensively outplayed by Preston, a club with an unrivalled away record in the league.

Simon Grayson’s side ran out comfortable winners at Boundary Park despite a mini-revival from Athletic in the second half.

Chris Humphrey’s early solo strike and a pair from Joe Garner — who also saw his penalty superbly saved by Mark Oxley, in the incident which saw Jonson Clarke-Harris dismissed for deliberate handball — were enough to maintain the charge of the on-the-up Deepdale club.

Gary Harkins’ terrific volley briefly brought Johnson’s men into the game at 2-1 down.

For the manager, though, playing catch-up is far too regular an occurrence: “It’s fair to say we were outclassed,” he said.

“Credit where it is due, they are a really strong side. We had too many players who started off in the first half having off days. The ball was like a hot potato and it is very difficult to legislate for that because we know they can do it. It is very frustrating.”