NORTH End boss Gary Peters will be helping to deliver a festive knockout punch to the promotion prospects of fellow high-flyers Gillingham at Deepdale on Saturday.

Preston begin their hectic Christmas schedule knowing that the festive season will settle once and for all their championship aspirations.

Gillingham are first on the PNE Christmas guest list. Their form this season has been stunning, considering their desperate financial situation at the end of last season. Faced with a footballing death just a couple of month ago, the Gills have staged a truly remarkable turn-around.

With 36 points from 19 games, they arrive at Deepdale with a formidable record. The Kent side have let in just seven goals so far and will be determined to keep up the Scrooge way of doing things.

Gillingham have caused PNE plenty of problems over the past couple of seasons and Saturday will be no different.

Gary Peters knows that his side will need to be in top form if another three points are to be secured. Gillingham slipped up against Barnet on Saturday and will be doing their utmost to stay in the promotion frame.

North End need to string a few victories together over the festive season and it is crucial that Gillingham are on that Deepdale casualty list.

Steve Wilkinson will be looking to keep his scoring spree going, while Andy Saville will be as goal-hungry as ever.

The path to promotion is always a tricky one and from here onwards it gets even trickier. The festive season is the traditional yardstick that contenders' prospects are measured by - and Saturday will reveal just how PNE are measuring up!

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