Old Boys Weekend Round Up
This week, as ever, there was plenty of former Lilywhites involved in the weekend's fixtures as we give you the low down, starting with Saturday's Premiership fixtures. Richard Cresswell and Ricardo Fuller both made second half substitute appearances for Stoke as they earned a rare away point at Anfield in a 0-0 draw against a stifled Liverpool side. Stoke have surprised a few people so far this season having pushed Everton all the way last week and then snatching a point off Liverpool this week.
On Sunday, David Moyes' Everton fought back from 2-0 down to earn a draw at the KC Stadium against a gutsy Hull City side whilst Kevin Kilbane was an unused substitute for Wigan as they drew a blank in the 0-0 draw with Tottenham. Carlo Nash was in reserve for the Toffees.
To the Championship now where Brian Stock started in the centre of midfield for Doncaster Rovers before eventually being substituted in the 4-1 defeat at Ashton Gate to a rampant Bristol City. Skipper Stock was booked for his endeavours which might explain why he was taken off by his manager as a precaution to prevent him from receiving any further punishment.
At the Ricoh Arena, Patrick Agyemang came on as a second half substitute but was unable to make the desired impact as QPR fell to a 1-0 defeat to Chris Coleman's Coventry City.
Former loaned striker Paul Gallagher netted twice for Plymouth as the Pilgrims saw off Crystal Palace in a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park. Gallagher now has 3 goals for Plymouth, tripling the tally he netted when on loan at Deepdale.
Following on from the midweek defeat to North End, Nottingham Forest managed to end the run of defeats by earning a point against Charlton Athletic. Kelvin Wilson was in from the start as part of the resolute defence that managed to keep a clean sheet. 0-0 was the final score.
David Jones, who was of course on loan from at Deepdale during the 2005/2006 season, was part of the Wolves side that saw off Preston in a 3-1 win at Deepdale on Saturday. Wolves ended the game with 9 men after hat-trick hero Chris Iwelumo was adjudged to have head-butted Sean St Ledger before Wayne Hennesey brought down Neil Mellor to concede a late penalty.
Rob Kozluk started for Simon Davey's Barnsley whilst Jon Macken came on as a substitute at St Mary's as the Tykes earned themselves a point against Southampton. Davey is under increasing amounts of pressure as some sections of the Oakwell crowd have been calling for his head.
Scottish international Graham Alexander skippered Burnley as they failed to make it three wins on the spin as the Clarets drew 1-1 with Championship new boys Swansea Cit. Burnley looked to have sealed all three points but thanks to Ferrie Bodde who equalised in the last minute, the points were shared. Preston's next opponents now find themselves in 13th after a slow start to the campaign.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Tommy Miller was an unused substitute for Ipswich Town during their 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Saturday. Miller who is normally a first team regular at Portman Road has found himself to be a victim of Jim Magilton's rotation policy at the moment.
Sinking further down the pecking order now as we look at League One where former stopper David Lucas took his place between the sticks for Leeds' 2-0 win over Carlisle. Lucas is not normally deemed a first team regular at Elland Road but has been enjoying a run in the side recently as Leeds occupy third place.
Two former loaned players were involved in this next match; Paul Reid was at the heart of Colchester United's defence whereas striker Jemal Johnson was an unused substitute for the MK Dons as the Essex side were comprehensively beaten 3-0 at their new home. Colchester have recently parted ways with their manager Geraint Williams and will be looking for a replacement to come in as soon as possible to turn their fortunes around as the U's are currently languishing in the relegation places.
Former skipper Sean Gregan had somewhat of a nightmare against Hartlepool on Saturday. The former Darlington man gave away a penalty on 53 minutes before being dismissed with 15 minutes to go. The score ended in a 3-3 draw but despite dropping points, Oldham remain in pole position.
To League Two now where Shrewsbury, who were looking to build on their emphatic seven goal demolition of Gillingham, could only manage the one goal as they earned a draw with Chester. Michael Jackson and Dave Hibbert both started whilst Kevin Langmead came on as a second half substitute for the 1-1 draw for Paul Simpson's side who seems to have recaptured the magic whilst at Shrewsbury as they reside in 3rd place.
Colin Murdock was powerless to prevent a rampant Darlington side run away with the points at the Darlington Arena. The Quakers netted 1 goal in the first half and two in the second to seal a 3-0 win and indeed three points. John Mullin also played for Stanley.
Newly promoted Exeter City had Marcus Stewart in their starting line up as the Devonshire side earned a point in a 2-2 draw at home to Notts County. Adam Nowland was a notable absentee for County as he has been ruled out through injury. Both players were of course teammates at Preston during the 2005/2006 season.
Brian Barry-Murphy played the full 90 minutes for Bury as the Shakers came from a goal down to earn themselves all three points with a 2-1 win. The win meant that Bury are the leagues early pace setters as they find themselves top of the pile but with Wycombe on the same points, they will have to keep their heads if they want to stay there.