It was nearly seven months after the Titanic struck an iceberg that Preston Norh End left the Cottage on November 9 1912 after coming up against an implacable Fulham defence, we'd sunk them 3-1 in the old Second Division.

One hundred and seven year later, we have played a total of 66 games, having lost 24, drawn 12 and won 30.

Preston North End and Fulham share a nickname as well as playing in similar colours, both are often referred to as the Lillywhites

I admit it's a tired old cliché but this was the second home game in quick succession that was a definite "Must Win”, just as the previous clash with Swansea had been.

The Fulham line-up was unchanged from the starting eleven that took the pitch against Swansea, I was hoping that the game would not be as frustrating as that one.

Preston won the toss and elected to turn us around so that we would play towards the Hammersmith End, perhaps for reasons influenced by the conditions but more likely as an attempt at unsettling us as invariably we play away from the Cottage End in the second half.

Preston were the probably the overall bosses of the early minutes but without them having done any damage, Fulham warmed up and took over. Fulham took off after just under five minutes with Cavaleiro redeeming his own loose pass to recover the ball and scamper away to release it to Bobby Decordova-Reid, he combined with AK18 but the move fizzled out with the tame final ball easily nullified by Rudd in the Preston goal.

Preston lived up to their reputation as a well-organised and solid team and were hoovering up loose balls and getting the rub of the 50-50 situations in these opening minutes and they looked dangerous when Bryan was easily overcome by Barkhuizen down our left, he fed in Brad Potts but Hector was there to block the shot which appeared to be odds on to open the scoring in the visitors’ favour.

It was just after this scare on nine minutes that Bryan who appeared to damage his hamstring while scampering alongside Barkhuizen and was substituted for Cyrus Christie who was an instant dynamo and for the duration had another superb game, probably doing enough to supplant Tom Cairney and Mitro for Man of the Match.

Joe has been at less than his best for quite a few games this season and one couldn’t help wondering whether he was carrying an injury. This early departure perhaps endorses that suspicion.

The subsequent corner from this flurry again probably ought to have given Preston the lead, Nugent helping the low incoming ball on with his back to goal at the near post with an unconventional backwards extension of his right leg, rather like an ostrich scraping around, the ball veered dangerously across the goal behind everybody except number 24 McGuire who jolly slotted home. We saw the Assistant’s flag as he struck the ball so were not unduly bothered but Preston’s players and supporters had a millisecond of delight.

It should be stated that Preston looked like a very solid and well drilled outfit, they certainly are a robust bunch although maybe they might have a word with their laundry people as their shorts seems three sizes to small and shirts had definitely shrunk, I’d suggest buying bigger sizes and washing them in colder water. The bum freezer high jerseys and skin tight cycling shorts belonged to a much earlier era somehow.

It was certainly a backwards and forwards affair with both sides having the ball in each other’s half in the first half, Preston next attacking to puppet pressure on form the left with Hughes crossing deep into the goal mouth where Nugent, good old Ted! (that was for fans of late 60s American guitar bands) was making a nuisance of himself, the ball ending up being volleyed by Potts which was an awkward one which Rodak saved with a fumble.

Cyrus Christie then showed the touch and skill we have become accustomed to seeing more and more this season, to raid the right, he laid the ball off to Bobby Decordova-Reid whose left footer whizzed narrowly wide, the game had by now reached the 20 minute mark.

It was Cyrus with our next attempt, his attacking play on the right was definitely unnerving Preston’s defence, skinning the whole back line, this time wit inter-passing involving Mitro and Tom. It was a lovely final one-two with Mitrović to take bash at goal. sadly though, his shooting boots needed more explosive and a better aiming system this great incursion was ended with a tame effort which their goalie frankly made a bit of a meal with. It’s about time he scored as he’s not netted since the home game against Middlesborough in 2017

The first half ended with the status quo maintained, on balance Fulham looked the slightly more dominant but there was a purpose and physicality about Preston that meant we’d have to be on our mettle in the second half.

The second half resumed with both sides playing with other, something like the prelude to an all out scrap between fighting cocks, lots of strutting and posturing but no fatal blows yet attempted. It was around ten minutes when Fulham burst upfield with pace, Ivan Cavaleiro shimmying down the left wing, his cross 10 yards out was a little long which mean that Mitro had to change direction to chase the ball tying up two defenders as he did so, Hughes first getting in the way with Maguire pushing the ball out for a Fulham corner to save the situation for the away side.

Knockaert’s corner was a very good one, unlike so many before and particularly in the preceding Swansea game, it caused mayhem and David Nugent dropped his guitar and scored an immaculate headed goal, one of the best he’s ever grabbed, we’re not complaining, one nil to the Super Whites, they all count.

It was now mostly Fulham and Cyrus again had a pop which earned another corner. This one whizzed dangerously around to be headed across by Mitrovic at the far post, the ball then pushed out for Christie to scoop wide of the far post when scoring seemed elementary. Hmm, it makes sense that he hasn’t scored for three years.

Seventy five minutes had now elapsed and three minutes later AK47 replaced AK18, a predictable piece of squad rotation by Scotty, one couldn’t help making a mental note for when either Kev Mac or Stefan would replace Cairney or Arter or both, perhaps Neeskens would get another run-out?

There were attempts from Tom Cairney and Ivan Cavaleiro that came to nothing when Aboubakar got into the melée, fouling Josh Harrop, at least he always makes his presence felt! The game raced on with more of the same, both sides scaring the other but thankfully we saw it out to the end with our lead intact and a very necessary six points out of six. The away game at Bristol needs to see a similar outcome.