Preston North End Vs Bury Match Preview
Npower League One Saturday 24th March 2012
Venue: Deepdale
Kick Off: 15:00
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Form
Preston North End: LDDLWD
Bury: LDLLLD
After picking up four points from two tricky away games Graham Westley’s men face the challenge of fellow Lancastrians Bury this weekend.
If the Lilywhites are to build on those two solid away performances then perhaps they won’t get a better opportunity than on Saturday afternoon.
Richie Barker’s side, who visit Deepdale for the first time since February 2000, are on a dismal run of form at present which has seen them without victory since January.
In fact, since the win over North End in November, the Shakers have recorded victory just three times since.
Previous Meetings (Click here for head-to-head stats)
Bury have of course already notched up a win against North End this season thanks to a 1-0 win at Gigg Lane.
A David Amoo goal after just 15 minutes was enough to see the Shakers pick up all three points.
However, the last meeting at Deepdale dates back to February 2000 when the two sides contested a 1-1 draw.
Jon Macken put North End ahead after 17 minutes before Lutel James levelled just before the interval to see the points shared.
North End’s last defeat to Bury at Deepdale was in the Division Three (League Two) playoffs of the 1994/1995 season.
A David Pugh goal was enough to give the Shakers a 1-0 aggregate lead to take back to Gigg Lane before another 1-0 win, this time from a Tony Rigby goal, saw Bury head to Wembley instead.
Team News
Striker Neil Mellor is vying for a place in Graham Westley’s 16-man squad with the former Liverpool man doing all he can to prove his fitness.
The Sheffield-born hit man has been out with a knee injury since October.
Likewise, wing pair Paul Parry and Danny Mayor who both missed the trip to Brunton Park on Tuesday are both doubts.
New acquisition Chuks Aneke is in line to feature after signing on loan from Arsenal until the end of the season.
For the visitors Peter Sweeney will serve his last game of suspension after his red card against Carlisle earlier in the month.
Meanwhile, skipper Steven Schumacher is a doubt after tearing his hamstring against Sheffield Wednesday.
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