Preston North End forward Joe Garner praised Craig Davies’ man-of-the-match performance as the duo both scored to seal a 2-0 win over Notts County.
Davies, who signed on-loan for the Lilywhites on transfer deadline day from Bolton Wanderers, opened his Preston account to put Simon Grayson’s side ahead in the 65th minute.
Garner then secured the three points with an authoritative finish from the penalty spot and, after the game, the 25-year-old commended his new strike partner.
“He played really well, he took his goal well,” Garner told PNE.Com in an exclusive interview.
“He’s a big boy and he’s got some good attributes and I think over the next couple of weeks I’ll know how he plays and he’ll learn how I play and hopefully it will take off and we’ll keep winning games.”
Garner added: “He brings something else to the squad and, like I say, he’s a good player.
“He’s played at a good level and he’s played in the Championship with Bolton lately and the gaffer’s done really well to get him on board.
Just five minutes after his goal, Davies won the penalty which effectively ended Notts County’s hopes of returning to Meadow Lane with any points.
Garner converted the spot kick with apparent ease and exorcised the demons of his previous miss from 12-yards, against Brentford in December.
“I got a bit of stick last time but I was confident enough to step up and slot it away,” North End’s No. 14 said.
“Like I say, we’re just happy with the three points and got myself on the score sheet.”
The Lilywhites failed to score from a host of first half chances as Notts County’s stand-in goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington produced a reel of excellent saves.
“I think it’s happened to us before, I think a lot of teams come here and sit back and we have to try and break them down,” Garner said of the first 45 minutes.
“The longer it goes the harder it gets but we’ve come away with the three points and we’re happy with our second half performance.”
He said: “We had a bit of back luck really, hit the post in the first half, had two cleared off the line and I think their ‘keeper’s the man-of-the-match I think.
“He’s made some great saves and just one of those days, I was just happy to score the penalty.”