PRESTON were flattered by a scoreline that didn't reflect the balance of the match, writes Chris Dixon.

The Tangerines weathered the storm in the first ten minutes despite their local rivals playing them off the Deepdale pitch.

But Blackpool managed to slow the pace of the game down and took control for long spells, forcing North End to attack on the break.

Ex-Seasider David Eyres almost put the home side ahead on four minutes with a curling effort that had Tony Caig beaten - but his shot ricocheted off the bar.

On 27 minutes, Junior Bent smashed a shot to Tepi Moilanen's left, but the flying Finn was quick to react and pushed the ball past the post.

Phil Clarkson powered the side along and also had two weak shots saved in the opening period.

But the difference between the two sides was in the finishing. While Nigel Worthington, who sensationally left Bloomfield Road today (Thursday), fielded young striker Adam Nowland and winger Junior Bent up front, David Moyes was able to replace strikers Jon Macken and Bjarki Gunnlauggson with strikers Kurt Nogan and Alex Mathie. And the change was the killer blow for Blackpool.

Nogan's pace caused chaos in the Blackpool defence and he opened up the play for the North End midfield to push forward.

But for all the strikers' efforts, it was veteran David Eyres who supplied the finishing which gave him the man of the match award.

Paul Beesley brought down Mathie to concede a free kick 30 yards out. Eyres blasted the ball into the top right with a swerving shot that Roberto Carlos would have been proud of.

Tony Caig flew outstretched to his right, but the ball was placed perfectly to hit the underside of the bar and bounce into the back of the net.

Minutes later, Michael Appleton charged down the left wing and powered a shot into Clark Carlisle. He made sure of the points for PNE when he headed the deflected ball past Caig.

And it was left to Eyres to finish the Seasiders off on 86 minutes when he latched onto a ball from Mathie on the left, which he slammed between two defenders past Caig.

Junior Bent almost reduced the arrears in injury time, but he blasted his shot wide.

This was another display for an injury and suspension-ravaged Blackpool side to take heart from - it was certainly far better than their position in the league suggests.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.