THIS eagerly awaited derby match against near-neighbours Blackpool arrived at the wrong time for the Seasiders wries Ian Rigby.

They had not recorded a victory for nearly three months and consequently had just spent £10,000 in the transfer market the previous week when £10,000 was a grand sum in transfer dealings.

Therefore, changes were made to accommodate their signings from Celtic, Buchan and Murray and they also gave Harry Johnston his league baptism.

North End also made changes, welcoming back from injury captain Tom Smith and striker Frank O'Donnell.

Dougal missed his first game of the season through injury, his place being taken by Maxwell.

Once again there were nine Scotsmen in the white shirts of Preston.

So, on November 20 1937, the two clubs met for the first time in the top flight, and within four minutes the visitors had conceded a penalty, Blair bringing down Beattie from behind.

Mutch took the kick and sent it wide of the post.

This failure was just a temporary setback although Blackpool held on until half-time, but every North End forward had chances to score.

Ten minutes into the second period Preston forced a corner which was expertly taken by Maxwell.

The Blackpool keeper misjudged the ball, gifting Frank O'Donnell a simple header.

Blackpool visibly wilted, whereas North End gained in confidence and within five minutes had doubled their lead.

A long clearance from Gallimore found O'Donnell (F) who tapped it square for Mutch.

He quickly and cleverly controlled the ball scoring goal number two.

The battle was won in those five minutes but throughout the 90 minutes the players who impressed were Tom Smith and George Mutch, even though he missed that early penalty.

But for a bit of consistency, PNE could be serious championship contenders.

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

Blackpool: Wallace, Blair, Witham, Farrow, Jones, Johnston, Watmough, Buchan, Murray, Finan, Munro. Att: 30,815.

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