SAINTLY Steve Basham looked to have hit a hat-trick - but it was team work in the best sense that wrapped up a fantastic victory for North End.

Jonathon Macken and Basham made simultaneous contact with the ball to knock home Preston's third and final goal against a sinking Northampton side.

Had Basham been credited with the goal, he would have scored his first hat trick in the league and added to the rapturous celebrations which engulfed Deepdale.

Parading new signing Graham Alexander on the right side of the back four, North End came at Northampton like an express train in the opening 20 minutes, cutting through the Cobbler's right wing is such a fashion that Northampton were left breathless.

Macken create space on the left corner of the box to put in a shot before Basham had a powerful effort blocked by Lee Howey.

Alexander then piled down the right again, hitting in a scorching cross shot that Turley couldn't hold, spilling it into the path of Basham and Nogan, neither of whom had time to react before Turley redeemed himself.

Preston then seemed to take a breather and it was Northampton's turn to charge forward - and they nearly scored twice, stopped only by the glorious work of fluorescent David Lucas.

The North Enders, inspired by cheering fans, who had in turn been inspired by the singing efforts of the pre-match opera singer, hit back and scored on 36 minutes.

It came as no surprise that Alexander was involved, his corner kick to the far post being pushed into a crowded goalmouth. Basham stepped up to direct the ball past Billy Turley to open the scoring - and start the celebrations.

Only good defending by Howey and Hope, not to mention fine keeping from Turley, prevented North End from turning the match into a rout.

After the re-start, Northampton tried to pull back their deficit as Corazzin got a touch to the ball in a goalmouth skirmish which resulted in another fine save from the move-perfect Lucas.

On 63 minutes Basham picked up a beautiful stroke from Mark Rankine to send a blistering 25-yarder past Turley to put the game beyond Northampton.

It was the signal for PNE to wrap it all up and on 70 minutes PNE scored a goal which was worth the entrance fee in itself!

Another fine piece of football had Northampton chasing shadows in the Deepdale sunshine. The ball was played to Nogan on the left. He swung in for Macken and Basham to simultaneously volley the ball past Turley.

Desperate defending ensured Preston didn't get any more but three was enough to ensure PNE hang onto their second place in Division Two. Final score: 3-0

MANAGER David Moyes said after the Northampton game that he was "very pleased with the performance. "We were a bit concerned early on when we had all the play but couldn't score.

"We played some good football, scored two great goals in the second half and it is a good result for us.

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