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War Knocked

Preston 3 Cardiff 0: Wondergoals from ex-Manchester United star Josh Harrop and Alan Browne stun Bluebirds

Sean Maguire gets the other goal that ends Neil Warnock's side's unbeaten start to the season

JOSH HARROP and Alan Browne scored spectacular goals to stun Cardiff.

Former Manchester United babe Harrop’s first goal for Preston was a fizzing 30-yard free-kick.

 Preston boss Alex Neil congratulates Alan Browne on his stunner against Cardiff
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Preston boss Alex Neil congratulates Alan Browne on his stunner against CardiffCredit: Rex Features
 Josh Harrop's screamer got Preston on the front foot
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Josh Harrop's screamer got Preston on the front footCredit: Reuters

And Browne came up with a magnificent shot over keeper Neil Etheridge’s head.

In between, Sean Maguire squeezed home a shot to ensure a big scalp for Preston.

Harrop’s only other senior goal was in his farewell appearance for United.

And last night he showed some top-flight class with a free-kick that arrowed into the far corner on 38 minutes.

Midfielder Browne pounced 12 minutes from time when Etheridge’s mis-hit kick came to him in the centre circle.

He instantly smashed the ball back over the Cardiff No 1 despite his frantic efforts.

 Neil Warnock's side lost top spot in the Championship
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Neil Warnock's side lost top spot in the ChampionshipCredit: Rex Features
 Alex Neil celebrates as Neil Warnock watches on
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Alex Neil celebrates as Neil Warnock watches onCredit: Rex Features

Everything went right for Alex Neil’s North End as they shattered Cardiff’s unbeaten record in some style.

But both Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock and defender Sol Bamba were fuming about a 37th-minute decision to give Preston a free-kick after a tangle with the home side’s Jordan Hugill.

Bamba was then booked for protesting after the resulting goal — and Warnock earned a lecture as he complained too.

North End went at the Welsh side from the start. Hugill ran clear to force Etheridge to make a sprawling save.

Tom Barkhuizen’s pace gave Cardiff real problems down their left side and it took some strong defending to cut out his crosses.

Warnock’s men were a danger when they got forward.

Preston skipper Paul Huntington made a terrific last-gasp tackle to stop Kenneth Zohore going in for the kill.

 Bluebirds players look dejected at Deepdale following their 3-0 humbling
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Bluebirds players look dejected at Deepdale following their 3-0 humblingCredit: Rex Features

Joe Ralls went close when his rocket shot took a deflection and flew inches wide.

However North End looked sharper and Ben Davies should have scored with a header from a Harrop corner.

After Harrop’s goal, North End were just too nippy in attack for the big Cardiff back-line boys.

Zohore only half-hit a chance and Preston kept making the better openings.

Both Huntington and Barkhuizen should have headed them further ahead.

Hugill and Maguire showed real promise up top and linked up for the second.

Irishman Maguire deserved his goal — just inside the post on 70 minutes — for his overall persistence.

Then eight minutes later, Browne came up with a suitably great strike to cap an outstanding performance.

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