IAN BRYSON sent Preston hopes sky high at the weekend.

His golden goal, 11 minutes from time, broke deadlock - and broke Brentford's stubborn resistance.

This proved to be one of the season's most inspiring performances by North End.

Preston supporters arrived at Deepdale full of hope after the 3-1 thrashing of Bury. But all this was a step higher. Could the leaders be toppled?

Brentford asked the questions early in the match and Steve Slade and Ijah Anderson both shot wide from good positions.

North End hit back and a lovely move saw David Reeves wrong-foot the Brentford defence with a delicate back-heel into the path of Lee Cartwright.

The Preston winger took the ball on; then, from just outside the box, he struck a powerful shot which left Dearden stranded, but the ball crashed against the angle of post and crossbar. Brentford had survived.

Then it was North End under pressure as Bates headed across goal and wide; in another well-constructed attack Slade rattled a post.

Level at half-time, it looked as if a single goal would settle it. As the game built in drama and tension, Preston began to take control.

Simon Davey missed a fine opportunity, pulling his effort wide of the post, and Bryson's free kick was charged down. A solitary point looked on the cards.

Davey had other ideas. Urged on by almost frantic support from the terraces, Davey broke clear on the right. The Welshman passed to the Irishman Kevin Kilbane. He pushed the ball across goal and in raced the Scotsman Bryson to smash in what turned out to be the winner.

Gary Peters was again delighted with the performance of the players and supporters and he ran onto the pitch in salute on the final whistle.

Preston now go for a hat-trick of victories when the meet arch rivals Blackpool in a High Noon shoot out at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

Preston are looking for a double having clattered the Tangerines at Deepdale earlier in the season.

If North End can win then the play-offs may just be a realistic consideration.

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