PNE Women picked up a valuable draw at Lincoln on Sunday to lift them off the foot of the table and out of the relegation spots.
They were returning to League action following their superb victory over Portsmouth in the League Cup, which set up a semi-final against Doncaster Belles next month; but on Sunday it was bread and butter time and they soon got into the swing of things.
Lincoln sat in fifth place prior to kick-off and with North End rooted to foot of the table it appeared that it would be a tough encounter, however, they got off to the best possible start when Gemma Watson opened the scoring within the on just five minutes. Sarah McCrea, on the left wing, produced a cross for Hannah Bailey who intelligently played in Watson to finish past the home keeper, Kay Hawke.
Lincoln searched for an opportunity to get back into the game with Jodie Michalska shooting wide and Sophie Barker firing over. A Stacey Aisethorpe header then went wide, but on 17 minutes their pressure told. Carla Ward headed home, rising above the Preston backline to meet a Leandra Little free kick. Preston keeper Danielle Gibbons got a hand to the ball, but couldn't prevent it from hitting the back of the net.
Lincoln continued to press, but North End dealt with a succession of corners to prevent the Imps taking the lead .Both sides were struggling to contend with the blustery conditions worsened by the onset of rain on the half hour mark.
On 35 minutes Aisethorpe headed over for Lincoln with Alison Taberner's free kick for Preston then being gathered by Hawke. Gibbons for the visitors gathered a Michalska corner at the front post on 38 minutes with a subsequent corner then being headed over by Lincoln's Little. The last action of the half saw Preston finally clear yet another corner after somewhat of a goalmouth scramble. North End therefore went into the interval with the scores level having defended well as a unit against a very strong Lincoln attack.
Into the second period and within the opening two minutes Lincoln played a ball across the box, but fortunately for the visitors nobody was following in. On 48 minutes Watson shot on target with Gibbons in the following minute doing enough to force Lincoln into shooting wide. On the hour mark a back pass was played to Gibbons who dealt with it and then collided with the oncoming Michalska resulting in a five minute delay.
With both players fortunately able to continue it was Preston who were forced into making the first substitution losing McCrea through injury soon after the restart, Mel Martin taking to the field of play.
The Lilywhites were then thankful for the crossbar which prevented Sophie Barker from giving her side the lead.
Both teams, despite the worsening conditions, searched for the elusive winning goal, with a Lincoln free kick being cleared and Bailey for Preston having a shot on target. On 75 minutes Lincoln manager Wilson replaced Sophie Wallis with Anna Renkin with Michalska then shooting across the keeper but fortunately for the visitors also wide.
Preston Manager Anthony Chattell then replaced his strike force with Bailey and Watson departing for Sam Cadwallader and Mel Bartley. Lincoln then took off Sophie Krivinskas with Amanda Barr taking to the field in a more attacking 3-4-3 formation. Despite both teams having half chances in injury time the score was to remain at 1-1 with each team justifiably obtaining a point. The hard earned point sees Preston climb out of the relegation zone albeit on goal difference, but with games in hand and after such a performance hopeful that they can ascend further.
After the game North End manager Anthony Chattell was pleased to have earned a point: "It is always difficult to come to a place like Lincoln and obtain points, but I felt the team played well as a unit and dug deep to claim their share. I am pleased with the overall performance and with the point that sees us climb off the bottom of the table."
PNE Line-up: Danielle Gibbons, Alison Taberner, Sarah Jones, Louise Belcher, Vikki Eastwood, Laura Walker, Anisha Bateman, Louise Cafferkey (captain), Sarah McCrea, Gemma Watson, Hannah Bailey. Subs: Sam Cadwallader, Mel Martin, Mel Bartley.
Next week the ladies are again in cup action with an away tie in the Lancashire cup against Wigan Athletic Ladies and Girls.
The Reserves match at home to Leeds Carnegie was subject to a late postponement due to the inclement weather. Their next fixture on Sunday 16th November is away against Blackburn Rovers.
