Wanderers’ B Team suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat against an unbeaten Preston North End side in the Central League.

Arran Pettifer was on target for the young Whites, but goals from Jacob Slater and Kitt Nelson saw the hosts claim all three points.

Preston started on the front foot and went ahead after 12 minutes when Slater gave Ellis Litherland little chance with a clinical header from close range.

Gio Loureiro picked out Pettifer as Wanderers searched for an immediate reply, but the midfielder curled wide of the far post.

Litherland then made a smart stop to keep out Nelson’s header low to his left, before Tommy Davis was forced into action at the other end to keep out Lynford Sackey’s deflected cross.

Aaron Bennett had a chance on the stroke of half time but couldn’t keep his strike down from the edge of the box.

Nelson also tried his luck during the final moments of the first half but missed the target after some good work by Ethan Ecclestone.

After the break, Bennett tried his luck from distance but Litherland made another smart stop.

Yestin Shakespear was then denied by a brave block from a Preston defender. Nelson managed to get in behind at the other end, but he couldn’t get a shot away.

Pettifer got Wanderers back on level terms with a composed finish that seemed to take a slight deflection on the way in.

But the hosts restored their lead when Nelson beat the offside trap and kept his cool to slot past Litherland.

Davis then made a smart stop to deny Sackey from a tight angle after the wing-back had got into a dangerous area on the right.

Preston had a chance to kill off the game during the final stages when Litherland was caught in no man’s land, but Noah Mawene sliced wide.

Pettifer almost had a second moments before the final whistle, volleying over at the far post after meeting substitute Joel Burgess’ deep cross.

Litherland, Toure, Trialist, Halford, Sackey, Tweedley (Burgess), Khumbeni, Pettifer, Frimpong, Loureiro (Sharples), Shakespear (Lawrence)