Garner Galvinises Preston Comeback

Last updated : 27 October 2014 By @pnemad

There was one chamge from the midweek victory at Gillingham with Reid starting ont he right wing in place of Humphrey who dropped to the bench. It was a lob sided team with Laird retaining his place at right back due to illness to Clarke.

Preston were on the back foot early on and were clealry not switched on. Jordan was allowed a free ehader to nod home in the first couple of minutes. Shortly after the visitors were two up aftera cross appeared to be deflected in by Huntington.

North End couldn't get into the game and the ball spent most of the time in the air thanks to some average football from both sides for the remainder of the half. Reid and Laird were always cutting ins ide and there was no incision as Garner was always beaten tot he ball.

Things had to change at half time as Preston were being beaten to the second ball and Fleetwood had a strong backlinenot allowing Garner any change.

Kevin Davies and John Welsh replaced Browne and Reid at the break. This helped as Davies started winning the ball and bringing the rest of the team into play. Just before the hour mark Humphrey came on to play right back as Laird switched to the left.

Shortly after Garner nodded home a close range effort to pull one back and the shift in momentum took the game away from Fleetwood who were hanging on.

Garner then headed home an impressive equaliser from twelve yards out giving the keeper no chance. He then completed his hat trick soon after with a rasping left foot drive from the edge of the box.

It was Garner's second half but credit has to be given to Grayson for the changes and Kevin Davies for changing the play. Preston have struggled to come from behind under Grayson but this may well be the turning point on an afternoon when other results went in favour of Preston.