Latics lose to Preston

 ATHLETIC 1, PRESTON 3

ATHLETIC fell to a second defeat against Championship opposition, as Joe Garner's double and one in the first half from Eoin Doyle did the damage.

Fielding a side including two new signings Peter Clarke and Ollie Banks, manager Stephen Robinson saw his men go behind to a Doyle strike after 19 minutes as he side-footed past Connor Ripley.

Robinson made four changes at half-time and after a powerful header from Garner doubled the lead for the Lilywhites, a quick-footed trialist winger smashed home two minutes later after exchanging passes from a short corner.

Preston's third came only two minutes after that, as Garner struck home a 74th-minute penalty awarded for a shirt-pull in the penalty area.

More on the game in tomorrow's Chronicle.