The perfect end

Football is one of the most unpredictable sports in the world, but the events of stoppage time at Deepdale had everyone wondering whether if it was actually scripted. With Preston 2-1 down and 4 minutes of stoppage time announced, Preston won a free kick just over 20 yards out. Graham Alexander stepped up and with his last kick in professional football curled the ball over the wall and into the back off the net sparking wild scenes of hysteria both on and off the pitch as Grezza had the fairytale ending to a quite remarkable career spanning over 1,000 appearances for club and country from the bottom division up to the Premier League with roughly half of his appearances coming for Preston.

The game itself was the exact definition of a game of two halves, more so than the 2-1 defeat at Tranmere last month. In the first half Preston were average at best (and that is being kind). Two defensive howlers from Arestidou and Gray gifted Charlton a 2-0 lead where they didn't have to work at all for the goals. The only time Preston threatened in the first half was a long range shot from Paul Coutts which was nearly spilled into the net by Charlton keeper John Sullivan. There was no other real action in a tepid half where Charlton were content just to knock it around with the home team not looking bad, but rarely threatening a goal and more likely to shoot themselves in the foot which was shown in the goals for Haynes and N'Guessan

The second half was completely different with a vast improvement in performances as Preston dominated the league champions and it wasn't long until Preston pulled a goal back with Nicky Hunt grabbing his first goal for the club after he volleyed home from 25 yards after a set piece was only partially cleared and a slight deflection took the ball past Sullivan and Preston were back in the game with over half an hour to go. The home team created several chances after this with the key one being Craig Morgans close range shot which was brilliantly stopped by Sullivan from near point blank range and it seemed that once again Preston's luck in front of goal would desert them until the moment of magic from Alexander in stoppage time. Once again Kevin Friend was the enemy of the Preston fans after inexplicably booking Alexander for over zealous celebrating which is ridiculous given the circumstances and you have to wonder whether the letter of the law has to be applied so strictly in this case.

Around this time last month Preston had lost 2-0 to Sheffield Wednesday in a game that has been dubbed as 'leakgate' by Preston fans and it seemed possible that we could have been dragged into a relegation battle given the run in that we had and everyone thought we would do badly in April. However Preston have actually gone April unbeaten even though we have only won just the 1 game which was the home game with Huddersfield a few weeks ago, but considering we were playing the likes of Charlton, Huddersfield, Stevenage and MK Dons and deservedly get results from all of them show that things are starting to improve and gives some optimism for next season which can't be any worse than this season. At least we are starting to find the net on a regular basis now as we have scored in 7 of the last 8 games with the Hillsborough defeat being the only time we have failed to score which also shows that things are slowly starting to improve although there is still a long time to go before Preston are anything like a team that can challenge for promotion in this league, but at least things are pointing in the right direction again.

 Next weekend Preston play their final game of the season away to AFC Bournemouth and we look to end the season 6 games unbeaten and also climb into the top half of the table which is still likely as we currently are 2 points off 12th placed Bury. Ending the season unbeaten like that would definitely provide optimism for next season which will be the key test of whether Graham Westley is the person to bring success to Preston North End as so far the jury is out as at one point it looked dire, but the last month has showed that there are green shoots, but at the moment they are just that. I think every Preston fan can't wait for this season to end which has been dreadful and we all hope that next season can bring more cheer, but then it can't be any worse than the last two seasons. On a final note, I sincerely hope Alexander becomes a full time coach at the club, it is the least he deserves after a magnificent career and the reception he was given today both when he came on as a sub and after that goal which will go down in folklore as one of the best he has ever scored and the dedication he has shown for the club over the years is proof enough by itself that he needs to be kept on. It was almost a criminal act when he was sold by Simpson to Burnley in 2007, it would be wise by Westley to ensure he isn't released (although as a coach) for the second time, his experience and know how will be extremely valuable to any member of the Preston squad.