Match Report

Clinical finishing saw Preston North End come from behind to maintain their recent good form at the expense of Lancashire rivals Blackpool.

Blackpool dominated the first 30 minutes and were almost gifted a goal after just five when Andy Lonergan spilled an Adam Hammill free-kick on the line, but Gary Taylor-Fletcher hit the rebound straight against the prostrate North End keeper.

Hammill showed his finishing skills on ten minutes when a long ball out of defence from Ian Evatt was collected by Alan Gow and he neatly put in the on-loan midfielder, who hammered home from 12 yards.

The Liverpool loanee was at the heart of most of Blackpool's good moments and the youngster went close with two long-range efforts before North End finally found their rhythm and won their first corner on 28 minutes.

Ross Wallace collected a rebound out of the Blackpool defence and shot straight at keeper Paul Rachubka. The Pool keeper dropped the ball but it dribbled tantalisingly wide of the post.

Wallce and Paul McKenna took a firm grip on the game for North End after the break. They out-muscled the Blackpool midfield with Wallace in particular causing mayhem down the right-hand side of the home defence.

On 59 minutes, Wallace turned full-back Shaun Barker inside out. He crossed and Chris Brown planted a firm header past Rachubka at the near post.

On 70 minutes, Wallace sent in another accurate cross which Neil Mellor headed home.

Blackpool manager Simon Grayson introduced new loan signing Lee Hendrie in a bid to inspire his midfield but it was North End who sealed victory on 77 minutes when Brown tapped in after the home defence failed to deal with a McKenna cross.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides