A superb hat trick from striker Michael McLellan helped Preston to an impressive 6-0 win away at Morecambe.
Two goals from midfielder Scott Davidson and one from winger Neil Dougan completed the rout, which left the Lilywhites sitting happily at the top of the table.
It took Preston only six minutes to open their account, as McLellan took advantage of some poor Morecambe defending. An in swinging corner by Dougan was not cleared by the Shrimps defence, handing striker McLellan the simplest of finishes to put North End in front.
PNE should have doubled their advantage in the 14th minute after a dangerous cross from left back Sam Hart was nodded down by Jamie Proctor to the incoming run of Scott Davidson, who fired his shot over from 20 yards.
Davidson managed to make up for his earlier miss though to put his side 2-0 up with an unstoppable free kick in the 27th minute. The free kick came about following a foul by Morecambe defender Connor Crossley on Dougan 25-yards from goal. Dougan then laid the free kick off to Davidson, who drove a powerful shot in the bottom right hand corner, leaving keeper Ben Proctor with no chance.
Preston's third goal came from some fine passing football that would have impressed manager Jamie Hoyland. The young Lilywhites played the ball around the opposition's half until McLellan found an opening in the Morecambe defence and he threaded a through ball for winger Dougan to latch onto and finish, giving Preston a comfortable three goal lead at half time.
The visitors started the second half just how they finished the first and had the ball in the net for the fourth time in the 15th minute, thanks to Dougan. Unfortunately though for the Irish U19 international it was ruled offside.
It took Morecambe 52 minutes to finally test North End stopper Dom Comrie, a free kick from the edge of the area by Shrimps skipper Gavin Clark was magnificently palmed away by Preston's number one.
Straight away North End went up on the other end and earned a free kick, Dougan again brought down by defender Connor Crossley on the left hand side. The free kick was whipped over by Davidson and met by a strong header from McLellan to grab his second of the afternoon.
With North End cruising, manager Jamie Hoyland introduced three new faces with Dougan, Tom Owens and Conor McLaughlin being replaced by Luke Clark, Seanan Clucas and Ryan McGreevy.
It nearly turned into an inspired substitution as McGreevy had a great opportunity to heap further misery on the home side. The chance came from a mistake by Morecambe defender James Taberham, who gave possession away allowing the Preston striker through on goal, but his effort was well saved by Ben Proctor.
Morecambe's goalkeeper was soon enough picking the ball out of the net for the fifth time, as influential midfielder Davidson got his second in the 63rd minute. Davidson had Jamie Proctor to thank for the goal, hard work from Proctor on the left hand side saw him get a shot off which was parried away by the Morecambe keeper. The loose ball was collected by McLellan, who played the ball back to Davidson, who once again released a powerful shot to score.
Jamie Proctor was pushing to get on the score sheet and he nearly did so in the 70th minute. Another tantalising run from the youngster saw him nutmeg right back Steve Watson to curl an effort just over the Morecambe bar.
The home side thought they had grabbed a consolation after a shot from Michael Evans took a nasty deflection off Scott Leather, but keeper Comrie was determined to keep a clean sheet and saved well.
Preston managed to get the last say in the game though as McLellan grabbed his hat trick and North End's sixth in the 89th minute. A clever flick over the Morecambe defence by McGreevy saw McLellan through on goal, to calmly slot home and complete the scoring for a dominant Preston side.
Manager Jamie Hoyland was delighted with his team at the end of the game, especially with performance by Scott Leather. Hoyland said:
"Its great that Michael got a hat trick today but I thought man of the match was my young centre half Scott Leather. It's his first game there this season and he has waited for his chance and done really well for us today. It's a massive positive, as much as winning 6-0, my defence keeping a clean sheet and Scotty having a good game."
Morecambe: Ben Proctor, Steve Watson (Ross Mackanley 71), Michael Evans, Connor Crossley, James Taberham, Jason Barrowclough (Callum Moore 71), Nial Cowperthwaite, Gavin Clark (c), Ricky Ball, Rob Evans, Chris Wraighte. Unused subs: Ben Farley, Jordan Atkinson.
PNE: Dom Comrie, Connor Mclaughlin (Luke Clark 54), Sam Hart, George Miller (c), Fred Holtom, Scott Leather, Tom Owens (Seanen Clucas 54), Scott Davidson, Micheal McLellan, Jamie Proctor, Neil Dougan (Ryan McGreevy 54). Unused subs: Jordan Watson.
Report by Jonathon Swift
