Old Boys Weekend Round-Up
As the Lilywhites falter again this weekend, we shall take a look to see if any of the former Preston players had any better luck for their respective clubs.
David Moyes' Everton certainly had a better Saturday afternoon than his former assistant did. The Toffees waited until the last three minutes to seal the points at Goodison Park with former Manchester United striker Louis Saha getting the vital goal. Sah rose to head in a dangerous Leon Osman cross to score his first goal for the club whilst Carlo Nash was on the bench for Everton.
Kevin Kilbane was another former North Ender who watched on from the sidelines as his Wigan Athletic teammates saw off Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Emile Heskey netted the winner late on to give the Latics a 2-1 win leaving Tony Adams still searching for his first win as Pompey boss. David Nugent has already welcomed the appointment of Adams as manager with the former Bury striker looks to revive his career. Nugent is a couple of weeks away from full fitness, hence his exclusion from the Portsmouth squad.
Ricardo Fuller netted the first of Stoke's two goals in their 2-1 win over Arsenal on Saturday, further adding to the misery of the North London club. Richard Cresswell came on as a late substitute for the Potters and was booked for his endeavours. The win now means that Stoke occupy 12th place in the Premier League.
In the Championship, Burnley continued their good form by seeing off Norwich City in a 2-0 win. Graham Alexander was back in his more familiar right full back position for the Clarets, playing the full ninety minutes at Turf Moor. Chris Eagles netted two second half goals to seal the points.
David Jones was back in the Wolves side that beat Welsh outfit Cardiff City 2-1 at Ninian Park. The scoring was completed inside the first twenty with Chris Iwelumo and Sylvain Ebanks-Blake putting the visitors ahead before Ross McCormack pulled one back.
Jon Macken netted twice for Simon Davey's Barnsley as the Yorkshire outfit outclassed the struggling Charlton Athletic. The in-form Jon Macken had the Tykes two goals up inside the first 17 minutes to set them on their way. Andy Gray was back in the Charlton attack but was unable to add anything to the Addicks' forward line.
Craig Beattie was in from the start for Crystal Palace's 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. The on-loan West Brom striker was taken off with 78 minutes gone to be replaced by Anthony Scannell.
Doncaster Rovers were denied taking all three points against Swansea City thanks to the on-loan Coventry defender Konstantopoulos saving a late Paul Heffernan penalty. Brian Stock, who usually has the responsibility of taking spot kicks for Rovers, will perhaps have felt a little aggrieved after seeing his teammate miss from twelve yards. The game eventually ended as a 0-0 draw.
Tommy Miller was an unused substitute for the Tractor Boys and watched on to see Ipswich take all three points against QPR. Despite having former Deepdale favourite Gareth Ainsworth in temporary charge at Loftus Road, Patrick Agyemang doesn't seem to be able to get a look in at the moment. Jon Stead netted both goals for Ipswich in the 2-0 win.
Marlon Broomes was an unused substitute for bitter rivals Blackpool as the Seasiders put four past Watford in a seven-goal thriller.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Paul Gallagher played the full ninety minutes for Plymouth's 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United on Saturday. The on-loan Blackburn striker was booked for his efforts.
Stepping down a tier now into League One where on-loan North End winger, Joe Anyinsah played the full ninety minutes for Brighton's 4-1 demolition of Millwall.
'Keeper David Lucas was back on the bench for Leeds United this weekend after enjoying a recent run in the side. Leeds beat Cheltenham 1-0 on Saturday taking them up to second in the table.
Chris Lucketti was an unused substitute for Huddersfield Town's win on Saturday. The former Preston skipper will have his work cut out for him in terms of getting himself back into the starting eleven after being sent of twice in the past month. Huddersfield edged out Crewe in a 3-2 win at home.
Another former skipper, namely Sean Gregan, was in action this weekend. Gregan played the full ninety minutes of Oldham's 2-0 defeat at home to Yeovil Town. Brett Ormerod came on as a second half substitute for Oldham who slip to 7th after their defeat.
In League Two, Paul Simpson's Shrewsbury Town recorded a 3-0 win over Luton Town on Saturday. Michael Jackson was in from the start whilst Kelvin Langmead was on the bench.
Elsewhere in League Two, Colin Murdock was a substitute for Accrington Stanley whilst John Mullin started in midfield for Stanley as the East Lancashire side drew 0-0 with Dagenham & Redbridge.
To conclude our old boys round-up we turn out attentions to the Conference where two former North End goalkeepers were involved for their respective clubs. Firstly, Gavin Ward kept a clean sheet between the sticks for Wrexham's 2-0 win over Lewes on Saturday. Wrexham now find themselves in 8th place.
Chris Day also kept a clean sheet as Stevenage Borough saw off Woking in a 1-0 win.