IN a lively game marred by some controversial refereeing decisions, ten-man Spartans did well to hold on for a deserved three points despite being under the cosh in the closing stages.
Opening exchanges were fairly even but in the eighth minute,
Preston conceded a penalty when Greg McColl was adjudged to have handled in the box. Keith McLeod converted expertly, sending the ball high to the keeper's left.
In the 24th minute, Spartans doubled their lead with the best goal of the game. Following a spell of home pressure, McLeod just inside the Preston half on the left, found Henretty, who kept his run going, shrugging off a number of defenders, to the byline, where he cut back a precise ball for Malin to strike first time.
The game erupted five minutes before the break when, amid protests, Robbie Manson was sent off apparently for a foul tackle and, on the stroke of half time, Craig Manson flashed a shot wide.
With ten minutes left, Stewart Miller clawed one back when he stabbed the ball home from close range amid claims for handball but it was too little too late.
Spartans: Flockhart, O'Donnell, Malin, Archibald, Gerrard, Kader, King, R Manson, Walker, McLeod, Henretty. Subs: Hoskins, Hair, Preston, Fowlie, Woods.
Preston: Gilpin, Cathcart, Barton, Costello, Scott, McAulay, G McColl, Baillie, Miller, C Manson, Campion. Subs: McCaul, Carnie, Houston, Byrne, Thomson.
