North End 1, Tranmere 0

Staurday, October 14 at Deepdale

PRESTON striker Steve Basham punched the Deepdale air with his fist, kissed the badge on his shirt and then disappeared under an avalanche of white-shirted colleagues in celebration of his excellent goal which was to give North End the points that keep them in contention at the top of the table

With the crowd chanting his name and cheers echoing around the stadium, little did he know that moments later he would be on his way to hospital after a clash with Tranmere's Jason Koumas left him with a shattered leg that could put him out of action for the rest of the season.

It was a bitter blow to the young man who has battled constantly against a series of injuries since his arrival at Deepdale.

The goal was enough to win the match, arriving as it did close to the hour when after an assault on the the Tranmere goal, Graham Alexander put over a cross from the right that looked easy for Clint Hill to head clear.

Basham read the situation perfectly, darting ahead of the Rovers defender to send a bullet header storming high into the top of the net leaving Joe Murphy completely beaten.

It was one-way traffic as Preston took Rovers to the cleaners with some attractive football that was a joy to watch. The occasion was marred, however, by some of the most intimidating tactics by Tranmere Rovers that really has no place in football.

Preston worked hard for the victory, the only real surprise being that the margin of victory wasn't bigger.

North End's approach play was excellent, it was only in the final third of the pitch, the all-important matter of putting the goal in the net, that could be criticised.

The Basham goal, however, dispelled such thoughts and it was worth the entrance fee just to see it.

Preston were without top scorer Jon Macken and Steve Robinson played alongside Basham up front and he put in a workmanlike performance showing just what a versatile player he is.

Mark Rankine had an early chance but he didn't get enough pace in his drive from 12 yards, and Murphy got a white glove to the ball to turn it around the post for a corner.

Basham then set up a gret goalscoring opportunity for Paul McKenna on the edge of the box but he seemed to lose his foothold in the wet conditions at the point of impact and the ball went high and wide.

Tranmere had a chance to take the lead when Andy Parkinson beat two men inside a couple of yards to open up the angle on goal and his powerful shot was beaten away to the unmarked Reuben Hazell, but with a clear sight of goal he smashed it wide and with that effort any serious threat from Rovers all but disappeared as they tried to settle for a point.

They might have got it had it not been for the Steve Basham goal, but had they done so, and considering their spoiling tactics, it would have been an injustice.

Before his goal, Steve Basham might have given Preston the lead in the opening minutes of the second half, but Tranmere full-back Gareth Roberts headed out his loping header rom under the crossbar with the keeper well beaten.

Preston are looking the part, albeit they are troubled with injuries but the players coming in are doing a fine job and there is much to look forward to as the season unfolds.

Norwich City come to Deepdale on Tuesday night as North End try to move ever closer to the leaders and tis looks to be a very interesting fixture and a good crwod is expected.

14,511 turned up at Deepdale for the Tranmere match as the gates start to rise in salute to a Preston North End which is playing some lovely football and going in the right direction.