CANARY boss Bryan Gunn says although a momentary mistake in the first half cost City, he was pleased with their overall performance.
A goal for Lilywhites' striker Jon Parkin in the 41st minute was enough to secure the home side the victory. Reflecting on the match, Gunn told canaries.co.uk: "I was happy with the performance, disappointed with the result. The lads were the best team for 40 minutes of the first half and there was a moment of slackness in the defence.
"Everyone had their jobs to do, we just didn't do it on that occasion and it's cost us the points today. I thought we huffed and puffed in the second half without getting too much end product, but at the same time we looked a good side."
The Norwich manager continued: "I think we got attracted to the ball, the free-kick came in the box - they had the big, tall Jon Parkin and the equally big Chris Brown. We knew what they would be doing, long balls to their strikers.
"I thought we more than matched that in the first half, I can't remember David Marshall having too much to do in the first half. We were always trying to chase the game then and get back into it, so it's disappointing because we said we needed to defend in our penalty box and we needed to create something. The Championship's like that - concentration has to be to it's highest level and if you have a job to do you have to stick with it until the referee blows the final whistle."
As the Canaries prepare to return to Norfolk, Gunn was asked for an update on the players' reaction to today's result at Deepdale. He replied: "The lads are disappointed in the dressing room and that's the worse thing, and we're trying to get across that we're in a dogfight.
"The Preston 'keeper made an excellent save in the first half, we broke away and I think it was Mark (Fotheringham) who had a shot which was deflected and the 'keeper touched it round the post. Goals change games, and if that had gone in we might have been able to create more chances."
With thoughts now turning to preparations for City's next home game, the Canary boss made it clear how important this next weekend's clash with Burnley at Carrow Road would be. "It's a massive game against Burnley now," he added. "This one's gone and we can't do anything about it and we've not got anything from it so the focus is on Burnley and getting ourselves right for that game.
"We need to start picking up points, whether it's one or three in order for us to keep in touch with the rest of the teams around us in the division. I knew it was a massive job right from the beginning, and that's why I took it on. I thought I could help and my coaching staff could too and we just need to get the players believing - they're going to have to work hard next week and we'll have to raise the spirits on the training pitch as well.
"We've got 13 games left, there's a lot of points there and we just need a couple more rubs of the green. Preston probably had a little more luck than us today and that's what happens when you're challenging. We have to make sure we work hard and try and create chances at the other end and make sure we take them."
Midfielder Sammy Clingan and defender Adam Drury were both absent from the Canary squad which travelled to Lancashire. Gunn told First News: "Sammy wasn't fit enough and we'll have to work hard on him to get him fit for the game against Burnley.
"It's a grade one thigh strain which with rest and treatment it should give him a good chance. With Adam, it's the first time he's played two games back-to-back in 18 months and he's felt a bit of stiffness in his knee. He didn't travel and with Jonathan Grounds preferring the left-back position we felt that was the sensible decision to make."
