ON November 27, 1937, PNE travelled to Derby County confident of beating the Rams.

After a bright opening spell both sides neglected skilful ball play of which they were capable and resorted to big kick and rush football.

Feet flying chest high, kicking over the top of the ball and two-footed tackles were features of the afternoon.

A series of free-kicks and lectures did nothing to improve things and it was reported that Gallimore won himself a free-kick almost every time he and Duncan went for the ball.

In the second-half forwards were wary of defenders and refused to hold on to the ball and, therefore, as the play became less dangerous it also became less attractive.

Even so, North End were apparently far and away the better side.

Smith once again dominated at centre-half. Having said that, Derby scored first through Napier but Preston equalised by way of Dougal, back in the team after injury, who scored from a penalty.

Mutch had missed one the previous week so Frank O'Donnell took this one, but saw the keeper save his attempt. The ball rebounded to Dougal who gleefully slammed it home.

Preston had to be content with a 1-1 draw.

PNE: Holdcroft, Gallimore, Beattie (A), Shankly, Smith, Milne, Dougal, Mutch, O'Donnell (F), Beattie (R), O'Donnell (H).

Derby: Wright, Bell, Howe, Nicholas, Hann, Kenn, Crooks, Dix, Astley, Napier, Duncan. Att: 14,294.

This was the last time the O'Donnell brothers played together for PNE (excluding war-time games).

On the following Tuesday PNE hit the transfer headlines once again as they transferred the popular Frank O'Donnell to Blackpool in a deal worth £12,000.

As part of the transaction Preston acquired Dicky Watmough and Jimmy McIntosh who were valued at around £4,000.

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