Preston overcame a floodlight failure to put in a glowing performance that helped to ease their relegation worries on a rare midweek trip to the Wirral.
North End travelled to the home of Poulton Victoria FC to face fellow strugglers Tranmere Rovers Ladies, with both teams needing all three points to ease their relegation fears.
A competitive encounter was anticipated, and knowing that a win was vital, Preston manager Chris Stammers selected a very attacking eleven which paid dividends with the Lilywhites returning home with a 3-1 win.
Floodlight failure caused a delayed kick-off to the game which commenced at a high tempo. Within the opening ten minutes Laura Walker for North End had latched onto a pass from Gemma Watson but her shot unfortunately hit the post. A Tranmere corner and free kick were then dealt with by the Preston back line.
Twenty-two minutes in, a free kick taken by Abby Blackett - making her first appearance for Preston's first eleven - was met by Hannah Bailey, who took advantage of a hesitant Tranmere defence to fire home the opening goal. North End had further opportunities with a Walker shot being cleared and Vikki Eastwood shooting over.
On the stroke of half-time, Preston initially cleared a Tranmere corner but the home side then regained possession and Jasmine Dutton headed home the equaliser.
After the interval, Tranmere had the opening opportunities with Lyndsey Rodger shooting over and Preston keeper Emma Reader then gathering a free kick. On 53 minutes Watson saw her shot from distance initially spilled by the home keeper Sarah Eaton who gathered at the second attempt.
Just before the hour mark, Watson was instrumental in the second goal, playing an early ball through for Sam Cadwallader who made no mistake in putting past Eaton. But two minutes later, Cadwallader, when latching onto a ball played over the top by Sarah Jones, forced a good save from Eaton. At the other end Preston keeper Reader was forced to punch a Debbie Cartmel corner clear and Jessica Murray then found her way into the referee's notebook.
On 75 minutes Preston extended their lead - a Mel Martin shot hit the crossbar with the alert Cadwallader being first to react to fire home the rebound.
Stammers then made his first substitution - Linny Craig replacing Laura Walker - and though Tranmere pushed for a goal to get back into the game with Dutton coming close, the woodwork preventing her from obtaining.
With ten minutes remaining, Cadwallader was replaced by Sarah Walker who immediately became involved in the action forcing Eaton out of her area to prevent her being through on goal. Walker had tried to latch on to an Eastwood free kick awarded in Preston's favour, the award of which had resulted in a booking for Bagley.
Alison Taberner then took the place of Preston captain Sarah Berry with Martin then finding herself the recipient of a yellow card.
A Cartmel free kick was then cleared by North End with Watson and Craig both having shots on target; Craig later receiving the fourth yellow card of the game before the final whistle blew to signal the capture of three crucial points in the bid to avoid relegation.
Their next encounter sees them entertain Sheffield Wednesday at the QED Stadium, Bamber Bridge, on Sunday 22nd March with a 2pm kick off. With Sheffield like Preston finding themselves in the bottom half of the table both teams will be anxious to obtain maximum points.
Tranmere: Sarah Eaton, Lindsey Smith (Captain), Yasmin Leung, Jodi Morris, Katie Bagley, Jessica Murray, Jasmin Dutton, Lyndsey Rodger, Gemma Drury, Amie Smith, Debbie Cartmel. Subs - Sharon Simpson, Hannah Ouldred, Alexandra Coleman.
PNE: Emma Reader, Louise Belcher, Sarah Jones, Abby Blackett, Vikki Eastwood, Laura Walker, Sarah Berry, Mel Martin, Gemma Watson, Sam Cadwallader , Hannah Bailey. Subs: Linny Craig, Alison Taberner, Sarah Walker, Mel Bartley, Danielle Gibbons.
Report by Julie Jones. Photos by www.pne-invincibles.com.
