PRESTON'S hockey team have reignited their promotion challenge with a brace of impressive victories.

Two weeks ago they thrashed lowly Leeds 7-2 and they followed that up on Saturday by easing past Deeside Ramblers with a 3-0 win.

Preston now sit second behind leaders Rotherham, but ahead of Alderley Edge, who they entertain at West Cliff in two weeks time.

Add to this, Preston's game in hand, plus the fact they boast the best goal difference in the league, and things augur well for their promotion campaign. The match against Leeds saw Preston shake off their inhibition in front of goal by scoring seven wonderfully crafted goals.

Deeside made Preston work harder for the three points before Luke Watson executed his now trademark short corner with a precise finish at the back post.

The Cheshire men roared back in search of an equaliser but Simon Eccleston exuded defiance in the Preston goal. Bowman soon added a second to take a two-goal lead going in to the interval.

After the break Preston put together some exquisite moves from midfield.

The home crowd bayed for more goals and their pleas were answered in the dying minutes of the game.

Luke Wilson latched on to a through ball from Watson and cleverly placed the ball past the on-coming keeper.

Cross-city rivalries re-surface once more this Saturday as Preston make the short trip to Springfields.