Preston North End Vs Scunthorpe United Match Preview
Npower League One Saturday 10th March 2012
Venue: Deepdale
Kick Off: 15:00
Referee: Graham Scott
Form
Preston North End: LWLDLD
Scunthorpe United: WLDLWW
Another disappointing display in front of a depleted Deepdale crowd in midweek meant the Lilywhites missed the chance o distance themselves from talk of a relegation scrap.
After such positivity in the summer talk of a possible relegation battle has left the Deepdale faithful dumbfounded, wishing for the 2011/2012 season to come to an end sooner rather than later.
Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Chesterfield was the 7th time North End had failed to score on their own patch leaving the 9,200 in attendance frustrated with what was put in front of them.
Saturday sees the visit of Scunthorpe United who after back-to-back wins has seen the Iron move out of the drop zone.
A defeat for North End could see their Lincolnshire counterparts leapfrog them in the table.
Previous Meetings
North End’s trip to Glanford Park earlier in the campaign resulted in a 1-1 draw where Iain Hume netted his first league goal of the campaign.
It appeared as though the Lilywhites were going to head back to Lancashire with all three points but North End switched off allowing Andy Barcham to net an 87th minute equaliser.
Scunthorpe’s last visit to Deepdale saw the Iron leave with all three points in what was a topsy-turvy affair back in October 2010.
Chris Dagnall put the visitors ahead early on before Craig Morgan equaliser just shy of the hour mark.
Billy Jones put North End ahead only to see Michael O’Conner peg the home team back immediately.
Martyn Woolford went on to net an 82nd minute winner for the visitors.
Team News
Although nearing a return, striker Neil Mellor’s spell on the sidelines is set to continue with the Sheffield-born hit man not likely to feature until the latter stages of March.
Both David Gray and Steven Smith have featured in training this week but are unlikely to start.
Meanwhile, centre back Craig Morgan continues his recuperation from tendinitis of the foot.
For the visitors, suspended trio Sam Togwell, Michael O’Connor and Josh Walker will all miss the trip to Deepdale.
Togwell is Scunthorpe’s most used player this season having made 36 starts.
Former Deepdale cult hero Jon Parkin is set to play at Deepdale for the first time since the on-loan striker left Deepdale 14 months ago.
Played for Both, click here