Three out of three for David

This Tuesday night clash (February 13) was never a classic match, more a typical North West local derby clash full of strong tackling and honest determination.

Tepi Moilanen came to Preston's rescue in the early part of the match, making a fine save to stop Jarkko Wiss putting County one up and then he raced from his goal to clear a back pass from Paul McKenna which almost let in Shefki Kuqi.

Preston then settled down, playing to their 4-3-3 formation with the trio of Cartwright, Rankine and McKenna taking control in midfield and providing service for the front men.

Brian McBride (pictured) had a good chance when he was set up on the edge of the box, but he shot high over the crossbar.

He was, however, unlucky not to score when Lee Jones pulled off a brilliant save to deny his fine header. Healy was only a foot away with a low, glancing header from a cross by Rob Edwards and Paul McKenna had a shot well saved by the keeper.

County started brightly in the second half without seriously putting the North End goal under pressure except for a toe-poke from Wiss that went a foot wide of the post.

Brian McBride should have done better when he was sent clear on the left of goal but he shot high and wide.

But a goal just had to come from the North End pressure and it did when the excellent Mike Flynn, a former Preston captain, got in the way of a Parkinson piledriver to deflect the ball for a corner, played the to the near post by Parkinson.

McBride headed across goal to David Healy and his powerful volley smashed past Jones to the delight of the 3,000 North End supporters.

Mike Flynn was voted Man of the Match by Stockport fans but The Citizen vote is shared by Lee Cartwright and David Healy.

Steve Robinson, the Preston midfielder, said: "It wasn't a great match but we deserved to win after working very hard.

"I thought Rob Edwards had a good match and the finish by Healy was brilliant."