Barnsley beat Preston 2-1 to claim their second straight win - and Simon Davey admitted their league form had suffered because of the cup run.The Tykes suffered the double agony of losing to Cardiff at Wembley last Sunday and slipping into the relegation places.

But a fine 3-0 win at Watford on Wednesday saw them climb out of the bottom three and only their third win on the road all season at Deepdale lifted them to within two points of Preston.

Diego Leon hit a stunning free-kick in the first half before former North End striker Jon Macken scored a penalty.

Skipper Stephen Foster then headed in a bizarre own goal to set up a nervous finish but Davey saw his side hang on for three vital points.

He said: "The cup has been a distraction. We had a fantastic run, which was a great journey for everyone concerned but if the four games that we won in the cup were in the league we'd be safe now.

"We found ourselves going to an FA Cup semi-final and dropping into the bottom three, which was hard to take.

"We've picked up two great results - but we're not there yet. The players have had three very tough games in the last week.

"But they have bounced back from the disappointment of Wembley and have been fantastic.

"Our priority has always been the league and we need to stay in the Championship."

Davey spent 11 years at Deepdale as a midfielder and coach and still lives in the city.

He was heartened by the reception of the home fans but admitted he did not expect it to be extended to him in the pubs of the city after the win.

He said: "It's always nice to come back. I had 11 fantastic seasons here and have got a lot of friends who still live in Preston.

"The fans gave me a fantastic reception but the most important thing was the win.

"I can have a glass of beer now with three points in the bag - but it might have to be at home with the curtains closed."

Preston manager Alan Irvine admitted his side are still involved in a scrap to avoid relegation after the defeat.

North End had gone seven games unbeaten prior to kick-off and looked safe on 54 points, but thanks to the unpredictable nature of results this season, Irvine insists it might take a record number of points to ensure safety.

He said: "Every week I get asked if we are safe yet and I certainly don't think so.

"Someone will go down with a record number of points this year so it will go to the wire.

"Someone will go up to the Premier League this year with a record low tally as well and all those points that normally get won at the top are being shared out."

Irvine saw his side dominate possession without looking likely to score before Foster's aberration, and he admitted a lack of quality in the final third was critical.

"The quality in good positions was disappointing," he said.

"We dominated for long periods but we didn't pick out the right pass or make the right run in good areas.

"But it wasn't down to a lack of effort. We tried hard but we had a lack of quality, which we can work on.

"Barnsley were very resolute. I saw them at Watford in midweek and they were outstanding.

"They weren't that here as we dominated but all that matters is the win and they deserve credit for that."

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