Julian Speroni: Two important saves and claimed every cross with authority. 8

Danny Butterfield: Could have got forward more but defended well. 7Matt Lawrence: Panicked at times but won almost everything in the air. 7Mark Hudson: Dominant display and didn't give the Preston strikers a sniff all afternoon. 8Lee Hills: Mature display and looked like he had been in the first team for years. 7Shaun Derry: Seemed to be everywhere and back to his top form. 8Ben Watson: Delivery was superb and he got stuck in all over the park. 7Carl Fletcher: Quiet afternoon but harried and hustled in the midfield. 7Paul Ifill: Lasted an hour and looked good but he needs to get fit. 7Victor Moses: Found time and space whenever he was on the ball and a great header for the goal. Man of the match. 8Clinton Morrison: Worked tirelessly upfront on his own and deserved the goal he got. 8SUBS: Dougie Freedman: Looked dangerous and tracked back well. 6Ashley-Paul Robinson: Only five minutes but he showed promise. 6