The Latics came away from Deepdale with a dramatic 3-3 after their first game against Preston North End in twelve years. The result was remarkable as the last six times the clubs have met Preston have won five and drawn one. With some better refereeing decisions on the night the visitors could have come away with three points instead of one. Preston took a 2-0 lead into the 41st. minute and then the Latics dramatically scored two goals in the last four minutes of the half through Shefki Kuqi and James Wesolowski. The home side looked to have taken the match as they led 3-2 but Wesolowski scored again four minutes from time to snatch vistory from the Lilywhites.
Manager Paul Dickov was rightfully disappointed as he felt that his side had done enough to win the match. He said, “I am baffled why the goal (Preston's third) was allowed because everybody could see it was a foul. It was possibly the worst decision I have ever seen. As much as I was disappointed to be 2-0 down after the mad five minutes in which we switched off, I felt we were the better side. I thought we were stronger, passed the ball better and created more chances. I always felt there were goals in us. They showed character, determination, worked their socks off and played some really good football.”