Shrewsbury O Preston 2 PRESTON North End brought down the curtain on their away fixtures on Saturday (April 26) with a long overdue away win and sent struggling Shrewsbury Town dropping into Division Three.

Yet, at half time, Shrewsbury could so easily have been three goals up as they battled for survival in the division.

Ian Stevens sent a crushing volley high to the top of the net only for David Lucas to touch it against the underside of the crossbar and stay out.

As Shrewsbury kept up the pressure, Darren Currie curled in a perfect cross which had the Preston defence in a panic and Mark Taylor raced in to head wide of Lucas but the ball smacked against the post and again Preston survived.

Shrewsbury put in wave after wave of attacks as Preston struggled to get into the match but the match was goalless at half-time.

North End brought on Michael Holt for the injured Lee Cartwright at the start of the second half and at last Preston started to trouble the home defence.

And in sixty three minutes, the 2000 strong travelling army of Preston support were treated to one of the goals of the season as Sean Gregan came forward in support of the attack and sent a 35 yard piledriver high into the top of the net amid frantic celebrations.

Shrewsbury, sensing that they were about to drop out of the division never gave up and came back at North End in a series of attacks, urged on by their excellent support but Russ Wilcox and company kept them out. In the time added on for stoppages, North End broke from defence with a fine passing move that let in Simon Davey and his low shot from the edge of the area beat Edwards and again the Deepdale fans saluted their players as Preston took the points.

That Preston North End took 2000 supporters with them when Preston were safe from relegation is a massive tribute to every Preston supporter and they must rank with the best anywhere in the country.

The Preston North End players now have the opportunity to reward that loyalty when the curtain falls on Preston's season against Walsall at Deepdale on Saturday.

Atop class performance would be an ideal present for Deepdale Duck and his wonderful supporters.

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