Preston North End boss Simon Grayson was full of praise for midfielder John Welsh, who produced a man of the match performance in the goalless season opener against Middlesbrough.

Welsh expertly denied Boro's star signing Stewart Downing any creative outlet in the game which ended 0-0 at Deepdale on Sunday.

"Welshy goes unnoticed sometimes," Grayson said.

"We made a real conscious effort to make sure he stopped Stewart Downing to start with because he's a major threat."