THIS time next week, Preston could find themselves at the top of Nationwide Division Two!

Currently seventh in the league with 19 points, PNE have suddenly found themselves back where they belong, just four points behind the league leaders.

And if they win the next two away games, they could just go top.

Two tricky ties stand in the way of top-of-the-table glory. First up is a trip to Scunthorpe, this Saturday's game. Scunthorpe are currently 20th in the league (three places above Blackpool), and should prove little trouble if PNE can repeat the form they displayed on Tuesday against Arsenal.

Then, on Tuesday, North End return to London, this time to face Millwall. PNE's last trip to Millwall virtually spelled the end of North End's automatic promotion dream as Millwall managed to force a draw in the dying seconds of the game.

But with Mark Rankine fit again, and a wealth of strikers to choose from, providing the defence remains solid, North End can look forward to continuing their push up the league.

Incidentally, on current form, the Preston v Blackpool Christmas derby could be a top v bottom clash!

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.