Early on, the 26-year-old had trouble keeping Preston’s Liam Millar quiet, and Gavin Bazunu had to make a nice stop to save the Canadian international from giving the hosts the lead.

Walker-Peters came in strong and gave Southampton the lead shortly after, cutting in from the right and bending the ball past Freddie Woodman.

“After the game, the general sentiment in the dressing room is disappointment,” he said to Southampton’s club media.

“We kicked it long five minutes before halftime, which fits Preston, so we lost our identity, the manager told us at halftime.

“I believe that in a couple games where we were ahead, we didn’t really press the opposition to try to make it two, three, or four goals to none.

“At the moment the feeling is disappointment, but if we go and win on Saturday then we’ll look back at this (positively) because it’s a tough place to come.

“A point might look good in the long run. Right now we’re hungry to keep winning and I know it’s five unbeaten, but I think it should be five wins.”

Russell Martin’s side struggled to add more goals after taking the lead before Preston turned the game around with two quick-fire second half goals.

“I think that’s the next thing in our development,” he added, in reference to adding more breathing room between them and their opponents.

“You saw it against Leeds where we were just rampant and that’s something we need to have every game.

“When we go a goal up we need to keep applying pressure on the opposition and not sit back and try to protect the win.”

Walker-Peters kept his place at right back despite James Bree coming into the side to replace the suspended Ryan Manning.

Martin made reference to keeping the two-time England international, who is Saints only outfield player to play every minute this season, in his best positions.

Walker-Peters continued, “I practise finishing with my left and right feet. That’s how I scored.” Fortunately, it worked today, and I’m happy about it.”

A victory at Deepdale would have moved the Saints up to third in the standings, leapfrogging their rivals in the process.

Instead, they are still ten points outside of the automatic promotion slots in fifth place, where they began the gameweek.

Speaking to the club, Martin continued, “I’m frustrated because you look at the other results. I told the players it’s a missed opportunity.”

“Yet, we’ve gone five games without a loss; that’s four points from two games, and with so many changes to the squad today, I can’t be too upset about that.”