By pnefans.co.uk
February 27 2005

An electric atmosphere at Deepdale sees a dominant Preston take all three points in this bitter Lancashire derby.

Preston 1
Graham Alexander 81 (pen)
bookings:  Cresswell 40

Burnley 0
bookings:  Roche 49, Camara 83

Attendance: 18,202

Preston dominated this game and early chances from O'Neil, Cresswell and Alexander all go a miss, Alexander with a trademark right footer from outside the box goes agonisingly wide. Burnley took til the 11th minute to have a promising attack but Moore fails to put in a decent ball as he finds himself in acres of space inside the Northend box. Again Burnley come forward but a Cahill header from only four yards sees Chris Day take the ball comfortably in his grasp.

Preston pile forward and Creswell sees a good angled shot tipped away from Burnley goalkeeper Jensen, then comes Prestons best chance of the game on 25 minutes Nugents shot is deflected into the path of Cresswell who has the goal at his mercy but fails to score as his effort goes screaming over the bar. Yet more great moves from Preston involving Mawene, Lewis and Davidson go a miss. Towards the end of the first half the game gets scrappy and Creswell picks up a booking on 40 mins for a strong challenge on Duff, his 9th of the season.

Again preston start the second half much the same as they did the first all out attack and Eddie Lewis is brought down after a surging run towards goal. McKenna sees a great header saved low down from Nugents ball in from the right, its Nugent himself moments later who sees his shot deflected as he's picked out by Sedgewick.

On 68 minutes Preston finally hit the back of the net, but Creswell is ajudged to of handled the ball much to the despare of a delirious Town End. Again Preston see a good chance go begging this time from Nugent who chips over.

Finally a break through as Lewis is once again brought down on the left, the Ref looks again and awards a Penalty. Up steps Graham Alexander with a trademark penalty and fires Preston into the lead on 81 mins, his 50th goal for the club 39 of which have been from the spot.

Cresswell could have finished the game off but a good chip over Keeper Jensen sees Cahill scramble the ball off the line.