Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe was delighted his side hung on to beat Ipswich Town yesterday, admitting the introduction of Kieffer Moore changed the game.

The home side surged into a 3-0 lead at the break, but deadline day signing Moore came on at half-time and bagged a brace as the Blues showed their trademark fighting spirit.

Ultimately they fell short, dropping outside of the Championship top two for the first time in months, while Preston climbed to tenth, just three points outside the play-offs.

READ MORE: Stuart Watson's verdict on defeat

"I don't think the heart rate was good, but I thought the lads were fantastic in everything they did, from start to finish," Lowe told the Lancashire Post.

""First half was great - we scored the goals and went in three up, but you always know a team like Ipswich are going to come out fighting and they did.

"Bringing a Premier League player on in Kieffer Moore, they caused us some problems going more direct. I thought our lads dealt with it very good, for large parts.

"The goals are obviously disappointing, but if the truth be known it doesn't really matter.

"We have got three points, scored three and conceded two, which we aren't happy with, but the points are the most important thing.  

East Anglian Daily Times: Lowe described Kieffer Moore as a 'man mountain'Lowe described Kieffer Moore as a 'man mountain' (Image: Pagepix Ltd)
"When they bring Kieffer Moore on they dink balls up. I just walked off the pitch next to him, he is a man mountain.

"The first one was dinked up and Fred made a save for the second one; we just weren't able to deal with it. But the lads did terrifically to hang on and get the points.

READ MORE: Alex Jones' Town player ratings

Lowe continued: "We had to deal with large pressure from them, but they are a good team aren't they?

"Let's not deny it, they are fantastic and I hope they get promoted to be honest.

"I think they deserve it - Kieran has done a fantastic job and they've got some brilliant players, who bravely take the ball on the half turn when somebody is up their back side. It is relentless, how they play and keep moving the ball.

"They nearly got back into it, but ultimately being 3-0 up at half time you are thinking 'okay...'.

"And we try not to give the lads too much information. I said one or two things about Chaplin running off the back, but when Moore comes on it is difficult. He's got a lot of quality.

"To withstand the pressure and come away with the three points is pleasing."