REPORT: MARINE 2-0 UNITED
Bank holiday defeat on the road...
United's trip to the north west proved in vain as they left Marine empty-handed following a 2-0 defeat on Bank Holiday Monday.
Willem Tomlinson scored after 34 minutes before Finlay Sinclair-Smith's hit with two minutes remaining sealed the win.
The returning Marine favourite Sol Solomon had a chance after just four minutes to give the host the lead but, on the end of Sinclair-Smith's low cross, could only divert wide.
Ever-lively, the excellent Brodie Litchfield then nearly found the bottom corner with a shot that wrong-footed Felix Goddard before Jack Thomas' audacious strike from miles out bounced just the wrong side of the post with the 'keeper flapping.
Former South Shields striker Darius Osei headed Manasse Mampala's deep cross over before Kieran Preston clawed a free-kick out from his near post.
And their pressure told shortly after the half hour, when all play stopped - thinking a handball may be given - but for Willem Tomlinson who fired the loose ball beyond Preston.
Just before the break, Thomas again attempted another volley after Litchfield forced another mistake but he whistled his effort just over.
Youngster Tyler Dacres was introduced at half-time and he went down in the area two minutes after the restart, but all appeals were half-hearted before a free-kick from Litchfield knicked behind for a corner which was ultimately cleared.
Marine substitute Charley Doyle looped a header just over when it was arguably easier to score and, at the other end, Remaye Campbell fired a dangerous ball across the box which was just out the reach of reach of JC Makiessi.
Behind by just one, United were always in with a shout and Matt Thornhill fired straight at Goddard with ten minutes remaining which may have seen us taken a point back to Nottinghamshire.
However, all hopes were dashed when the impressive Sinclair-Smith with a quiet sublime strike that thundered off the underside of the crossbar and over the line, leaving Preston no chance.
We put league action behind us for a week when we travel to Alvechurch in the First Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday (3pm).
UNITED: Preston; Bowman, Goundry, Roma, Makiessi (Ilesanmi 77'), Dearle, Thomas (Dacres 45'), Thornhill (c), Campbell, Cartwright, Litchfield (Wakefield 63')
SUBS (not used): Dyer, Ilesanmi, Ritzema,
ATT: 942 [15 away]