Lowe’s lowpoint

RYAN LOWE admitted Preston could do little to stop Middlesbrough from charging closer to the automatic-promotion spots.

Chuba Akpom poked in a 22ndminute goal, before Cameron Archer, who has been on loan at Preston previously, scored twice.

Marcus Forss added a stoppagetime goal to seal the win, with Bambo Diaby sent off for bringing down Akpom minutes before time.

Lowe said: ‘It was a tough afternoon, I’m gutted really. We knew it would be tough. I am disappointed, but I can’t be too down because they have been on a fantastic run. That shows we are not play-off contenders because of the levels we have seen. We will dust ourselves down, go into the derby in two weeks’ time with Blackpool looking for a response.’

Home manager Michael Carrick said: ‘It was a good performance from the start and we really got in our stride from kick-off. All aspects of the game were good, the energy and some of our football was very good. We will go away in the international break now and refocus.’