Grayson questions play-off curse

The Lilywhites missed out on automatic promotion to the Championship last weekend when they lost to Colchester, meaning they head into a play-off semi-final clash against Chesterfield which begins on Thursday night.
North End fans have suffered plenty of heartache in that format before, with the previous nine attempts to achieve promotion via that route all ending in disappointment.
“Every time they walk down the street in Preston someone reminds the players about it but that’s a motivation and an inspiration – let’s be the team to do it.” Grayson said of the previous nine unsuccessful play-off campaigns.
However, if you delve back into Preston’s storied history far enough, the notion of a play-off curse around Deepdale can be dispelled somewhat.
The play-offs, or Test matches – as they were then known, started in the 1890s before being abolished after five years.
North End played in just one fixture in 1894, defeating Notts County 4-0 to keep their First Division status.
Grayson added: “There is a stat that somebody told me that we did win the play-offs, a Test match, as it was called, in 1894, so there isn’t a hoodoo.”