Preston North End reserves put in an excellent team performance in torrential conditions to come from behind and win 2-1 against Bolton Wanderers in the Central League.

PNE fell behind just eight minutes in as Gerald Sithole headed home, but Izac Khan quickly levelled for the visitors.

Following a half-hour interruption which saw the match suspended and a change of pitch due to the weather, North End reacted better and went ahead before the break through Cole McGhee, and that was enough for the three points.

The weather from the week prior and the afternoon itself was causing issues on the playing surface, with the ball holding up and players losing their footing from the off.

That helped North End three minutes in when Ben Andreucci began racing through on goal, but Ethan Eccleston managed to catch him and put in a great challenge.

Tommy Davis made a great stop to deny the same man soon after, although there was nothing he could do to stop Sithole heading home after Finlay Lockett’s corner hit the bar and fell to the forward.

PNE had to react and they did so within three minutes as Eccleston’s low cross from the left was excellently cushioned home by the left foot of Khan.

Play was then stopped in the 27th minute as referee Abid Hussain judged the pitch no longer playable, and within half an hour the match was restarted on a 4G surface at the Eddie Davies Training Ground.

PNE turned the game on its head four minutes before the break when McGhee leapt highest to nod Jonny Brindle’s corner beyond Jack Flint, cuing huge North End celebrations.

The goalkeeper came out on top in the final minute of the half, though, as he prevented Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile making it three.

Bolton found the back of the net early in the second half, but Davis and the North End defence were relieved to see the offside flag go up.

Davis – helped by the backtracking Brindle – then made a great stop in the 56th minute as Andreucci raced through on goal.

Chances came less often during the second period, however PNE were having to work hard to maintain their lead, limiting the hosts to very little.

They did have a presentable opportunity with seven minutes left on the clock when Khan’s header back towards Davis fell short and Andreucci capitalised, but McGhee tidied up the danger and North End managed to see out the remaining minutes to come out on top.

PNE line-up: Davis; Brindle, McGhee, Pasiek; Eccleston, Horan, Kamara, Khan; Wilson, T.Mawene (Carroll, 31); Rodriguez-Gentile (Gairns, 89). Subs not used: Stowell, Critchley, Tarry.