Old Boys Midweek Round-Up
With a full Football League programme taking place in midweek it would be rude not to take a look at how the former North End personnel that were involved faired during those games.
Firstly, David Moyes' Everton were in action on Monday night as the Toffees took on Wigan at the JJB Stadium in the only Premiership game. It was the Latics that came out on top with Henri Camara netting the only goal of the game and his first in the Premier League since December 2006. Kevin Kilbane was an unused substitute for Wigan as was Carlo Nash for Everton.
On Tuesday night, Tommy Miller could only muster up a second-half substitute for Ipswich Town's 2-1 defeat to Birmingham City. Liam Ridgewell and Kevin Phillips gave the home side the lead before Alex Bruce, son of Wigan's Steve, pulled one back.
Striker Tamas Priskin played the vast majority of Watford's 1-1 draw with Preston's next opponents Bristol City. The Hungarian international was brought off with two minutes to go and be replaced by Hoskins at Ashton Gate.
At The Keepmoat Stadium, two former North End teammates became opponents during the fixture between Doncaster Rovers and Nottingham Forest. Brian Stock was in the centre of midfield for Rovers, playing the full ninety minutes, as did Kelvin Wilson for Forest in defence. The game finished a 0-0 draw and Rovers' second on the bounce.
Striker Craig Beattie was on hand to net Crystal Palace's opening goal during their 2-1 win over Norwich City on Tuesday night. Jon Oster added a second before Pattison pulled one back for Norwich at Carrow Road.
At Loftus Road, two former Preston strikers were in action for their clubs on Tuesday night. Andy Gray, who will be looking to fire Charlton out of their dismal run of form, was in from the start for the Addicks whilst Patrick Agyemang came on as a half-time substitute for QPR. The game ended in a 2-1 win for QPR, piling the misery on relegation threatened Charlton.
Despite netting for the Pilgrims at the weekend, Paul Gallagher could only manage a substitute appearance for Plymouth's 0-0 draw with Southampton. Yoann Folly started in the centre of midfield for Plymouth but neither could pose any sort of attacking threat.
To conclude our round-up of the Championship we look at Monday night's game between Barnsley and Burnley. Jon Macken put the home side ahead before Simon Whaley netted Barnsley's second of their three goals in his second game for the club. Graham Alexander captained the Clarets who found themselves 3-0 down after 51 minutes. In a bid to salvage something from the game, Martin Paterson was introduced at the expense of Adi Akinbiyi. The former Scunthorpe striker pulled two back for Burnley but was unable to deny Simon Davey's side from taking all three points.
In League One, Southend earned a valuable away point towards their charge for the play-offs after recording a 0-0 draw with Cheltenham. Alan McCormack played the full ninety minutes for the Essex side.
Jemal Johnson netted for the second game running for the MK Don's. The former Blackburn striker put away the Dons' third in a 3-0 win over Hereford at the Bowl. The win means that Milton Keynes lie in second place in League One and contenders to make a second successive promotion.
Goalkeeper David Lucas was unable to keep Northampton at bay during Leeds' away trip to the Cobblers' Sixfields. The defeat means that Leeds slip to 7th place but are just one point away from 6th place and those all important play-off places.
Michael Ricketts again found himself on the losing side despite getting himself on the score sheet for the Saddlers. Ricketts equalised for Walsall on 23 minutes before Nicholls put them 2-1 up just two minutes later. However, a superb fight back, started by Lee Hughes, just before half time was complete when the former West Brom striker netted the winner in the 89th minute. Sean Gregan skippered the Latics from the heart of the defence.
Joe Anyinsah was an unused substitute for Brighton during their fixture with Stockport County on Tuesday. Anyinsah, normally a regular in the Brighton side during his loan spell, has found himself out of the picture and has a fight head of him if he is to force his way back in the manager's plans.
In League Two, Marcus Stewart's Tuesday evening didn't quite go as he would have hoped after the former Sunderland and Ipswich striker was taken off with suspected ankle ligament damage. Seventy minutes into Exeter City's 1-1 draw with Rotherman, Stewart was replaced by another former Preston striker, Steve Basham.
Paul Simpson's Shrewsbury Town left it until the last possible minute to seal the points against Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday. Grant Holt netted a 91st minute penalty to put the Shrews 2-1 up to send them up to 4th in League Two. Kelvin Langmead kept his place in defence whilst Dave Hibbert was handed a later substitute appearance.