NORTH END, to the relief of their excellent supporters, will be playing second division football next season.

They secured their status with this battling win against a country side which dominated for long periods but failed to put away any of the chances which came their way.

Stockport's Chris Marsden ran the show with a fine performance in the middle of the park and Preston struggled to close him down as he played in neat passes all around the field.

Ken Charlery missed an easy chance to put Stockport ahead but he miskicked only ten yards out and Bennett and Marsden both got forward in support of attacks, but failed to apply the finish required.

Preston hit back and as Stockport appealed for offside, the flag stayed down and David Reeves raced clear, but he hit his low shot across goal and wide of the far post.

Preston survived when Stockport were awarded an indirect free kick on the edge of the six yard box.

All eleven Preston players were on the North End goalline as Bennett played the ball a couple of feet to Armstrong, and the Stockport striker hit a powerful shot which hit a white jersey and came out amid a scramble in the penalty area.

It was no score at half time and it was Stockport, pushing for promotion who looked the more likely to score as Armstrong shot wide and twice Marsden shot over the bar into the kop.

Michael Holt was brought into the action for Preston and started to cause problems for ex Preston skipper Mike Flynn and Jim Gannon, who both looked solid for Stockport.

With ten minutes remaining, Holt, back to goal on the edge of the area played in a low cross that Gannon cleared, but only to Ian Bryson, thirty five yards out and he hit a powerful shot through a forest of players wide of Jones and the Town End burst into celebration as Deepdale Duck danced a jig.

Bryson was mobbed by his delighted team mate and then Preston put up a dramatic rearguard action as Stockport came forward in numbers to try to rescue a match which they never looked like losing until Bryson struck.

The win, and three points, keeps Preston safe and manager Gary Peters was a happy man after the final whistle. He thanked the Preston fans for their support and apologised for North End's away form which was the reason for the pressure.

Preston have just one away fixture, at struggling Shrewsbury on Saturday and the travelling North End roadshow will be there in force looking for a rare away victory.

By Tom Parker Red Rose 999 AM

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