ANDY Saville blasted in his 25th goal of the season as North End carried out another smash-and-grab job to take all three points at Ninian Park.

The PNE hot-shot was determined to make amends for his red card last week and answered the critics in the best possible way. Saville's 70th minute strike could well be the goal that sees North End

crowned as champions on May 4th.

Venues like Ninian Park often prove to be the places where championships are won and lost - North End overcame that hurdle and are now set for a sprint to the finish.

Preston hammered Cardiff 5-0 on New Year's Day and the Welshmen fought doggedly to ensure that PNE wouldn't have it all their own way this time.

Carl Dale, the Cardiff striker who has 27 goals to his credit this season, had to be watched constantly. David Moyes, dependable as ever, held the lethal hit-man for 90 minutes and turned in a fantastic performance once more.

The breakthrough came for Preston 20 minutes from the final whistle. Steve Wilkinson ran at the retreating Welsh defence and found Bryson who then set-up Graeme Atkinson.

His strike rebounded off the 'keeper straight into the path of Saville who made no mistake.

Boss Gary Peters was more than pleased with the three points. "That was one of our most professional displays of the season. It wasn't a classic, but that isn't our fault."

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