Irvine content with draw

Preston boss Alan Irvine was content to come away with a point after the draw with Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

The visitors recovered from the shock of conceding to Billy Clarke in the very first minute to earn a point courtesy of Ross Wallace's superb free-kick.

Irvine described himself as happy with the result against high-flying Blackpool.

"I think for us to come back in a derby match at a very, very difficult place this season after the start we had was a good performance by us and a result we would be happy with," Irvine told Sky Sports 1.

Quality
Irvine singled out Wallace for special praise as the Scottish midfielder marked his return to the side with a trademark free-kick.

"Well you can see the quality he has got, you asked me before the game was it good to have him back and there is the answer," added Irvine.

"He has terrific quality, he is a creator of goals for us and a scorer of goals and that was another exceptional free-kick."

Irvine also defended Wallace for his goal celebration after a Blackpool steward was injured as the Preston star ran towards the visiting fans to celebrate.

"I think there is a very fine line - he has just scored a fantastic free-kick in a derby match and he is going to get excited abut it," noted Irvine.

"He ran over to the fans, I don't think what he did was a terrible thing. I think we have seen worse than that in games .

"I can understand why he got booked, I can understand the reaction of our fans as well and I am really sorry the steward got injured and I hope he is okay."