After defeating Manchester United and Blackburn by an aggregate scoreline of eight goals to one in previous weeks, hopes and expectations were high as Manchester City arrived at Deepdale in early October 1959.

But the warning signs were already apparent, the Citizens having already claimed three Lancashire scalps in defeating United, Rovers and Blackpool - they were aiming for the quartet, and they ended up with five!

'City played well, in a less involved more orthodox style than usual in fully meriting both points from an exciting always entertaining game.' Walter Pilkington wrote in the Lancashire Evening Post following the 5-1 home defeat.

'They played with verve and purpose, enjoyed the inspiration of strong lively leadership and were brimful of confidence. Even so they benefited from having the "running" which so often favours a team in top form.'

Woeful finishing was North End's downfall according to the LEP's match observer, even so, the ever alert Finney did manage to salvage a little pride with Preston's only goal of the game.

'Sneddon did not connect properly with a well placed shot when Trautmann was at his mercy. Farrall without looking where he was shooting, needlessly ballooned a perfect centre from Campbell over an open goal.

'One does not expect even the best of marksmen to score every time (I noticed that Clough wasted a "sitter" for Middlesbrough against Sunderland), but Farrell is erring too often to encourage the faith of even those who have been patient with his repeated failings. With the chances he has had - and I mean gifts - he ought to be North End's leading scorer instead of a liability.

'Then Finney, who had put North End back in the game with a chance by heading a remarkable and spectacular goal shortly before the interval, was inches out of direction when everyone expected him to score again.'

North End were back in freescoring form themselves seven days later when they defeated Arsenal 3-0 at Highbury, a match which was marred by a serious injury to former Preston dynamo Tommy Docherty. It was an injury which was said to have taken "gilt off gingerbread", but there was no doubting that Preston were back in impressive form.

Writing in the Lancashire Evening Post, John Taylor said: 'North End's ordered movements were a delight. There was no Arsenal rough stuff to snuff out the ball players. A London colleague remarked that Preston were playing with the assurance born of practice and more practice.

'The understanding between Finney, Sneddon and Thompson in the middle was reminiscent of the best days of Horton, Wayman, Beattie. Each can hold the ball and in doing so, the Arsenal defence, rightly delaying the haphazard tackle, were left wondering where the probe was to be made.'

Joe Walton grabbed a rare goal 'a 35-yard prodigious "Big Dipper" of a shot, speculative, but (to Walton) satisfying' who said after the match: "I was getting a bit fed-up with these forwards of ours, they weren't doing much!"

One week later and Deepdale played host to the league champions Wolverhampton Wanderers, winning an absolute classic 4-3. Alston, Thompson, Finney from the penalty spot and Sammy Taylor getting the goals for the Lilywhites.

Walter Pilkington writing for the LEP was most impressed...

'Wolverhampton will have to improve upon their away record of three wins and a draw in eight matches, with 22 goals against, if they are to retain the championship. They played hard at Preston in striving for a third successive win on this ground, but before the end their stature did not measure up to their reputation.

'North End withstood the impact of a first half onslaught, gained and clung to the initiative, and finally achieved a merited 4-3 win by playing superior football and showing at least equal staying power. They seemed to improve the longer the game lasted.

'It was Preston's sixth victory in eight games.

'Clearly they are a better prospect than would be supposed from the scanty notice taken of these performances further afield with not so much as a mention in the BBC's Northern Sports Report of such a proud feat as humbling the champions. Probably the club and players would prefer it that way. Excessive fuss can be so embarrassing.

'The crowd at Deepdale was less than 23,000 owing to the first wet Saturday of the season - the rain caused a drop of about £1,000 in gate money - but at least those who came were more than satisfied with the entertainment provided.'