DEPLETED Preston could not keep out rampant Ipswich, although Lillywhites' boss Craig Brown was less than happy with Town's first two goals, writes Derek Davis.

DEPLETED Preston could not keep out rampant Ipswich, although Lillywhites' boss Craig Brown was less than happy with Town's first two goals, writes Derek Davis.

The former Scotland boss said: "The result flattered Ipswich although they did shade the victory. Had we equalised just after half-time when we had a chance, it might have been different."

Brown disputed the referee's decision to award a free-kick after Pablo Couago went down under a Eric Skora challenge and believes Darren Bent handled as he put in Darren Ambrose's corner.

Brown said: "The free-kick decision disappointed me as I felt it was a 50-50 challenge but the referee chose to give a foul, which was a bit dubious.

"It was a poor goal for us to give away, it was a soft goal, he should never have been allowed to get a free header.

"The second Ipswich goal looked liked it might have been handled into the net.

"I'm not saying that has cost us a point but there have been other games when shocking decisions have gone against us and that has cost us.

"The third goal was almost incidental as they hit us as we were trying to push up and get something back and it was a very good finish."

The result extended Town's unbeaten run to nine but it meant Preston's sixth straight defeat and increases pressure on Brown but he refuses to buckle.

He added: "All credit to Ipswich. They are keeping their run together and as Joe said, they caught us at a good time for them and got the breaks in the game.

"We had five suspended and four out injured so that is nine regular first-team players missing, coming to Portman Road in what is a difficult enough fixture as it is.

"But the morale is not low, they are playing reasonably well but not getting a break.

"With three home games coming up in a row, there is now enough evidence to know we can get back to winning again.

"Many teams have a run like this and get through it and we will soon get stabilised and back to winning."

All five suspended players will be back for their home game with play-off contenders Nottingham Forest next week.