Declan Rudd was full of praise for Joe Garner following the striker’s incredible equaliser in Preston North End’s 1-1 draw against Rotherham United.
Garner took Tom Clarke’s pass on his chest, flicked the ball away from his marker and fired a spectacular volley into the top corner, cancelling out Alex Revell’s 21st minute opener.
The goal came at a crucial time for North End, just minutes after the restart, and Rudd, who made crucial saves for the Lilywhites to keep the scores level, says he was in the perfect position to admire his teammate’s strike.
Speaking exclusively to PNE.Com after the game, the goalkeeper said: “To be fair I had a great view of it, I saw it come onto his chest.
“He does it in training all the time and it’s just great that he’s got that confidence back he had a few months ago.
“If you don’t try it, it doesn’t come off for you and he tried it and it was an unbelievable goal and he’s done that so many times for us this season.
“He’s been great and where we would be without him I don’t know and hopefully he can do it again on Thursday.”
Deepdale was a cauldron of noise throughout the game as 17,221 fans created an excellent atmosphere in front of the Sky Sports cameras and Rudd admits he was blown away by the support North End received.
“Unbelievable, having 17,000 fans in there, the noise and the roar when they get going is unbelievable, it really does get you going and that goal certainly got them going,” he said.
The draw means the League One Play-Off semi-final is finely poised heading into Thursday’s second leg at the New York Stadium, where North End earned a point last August.
And Rudd is hopeful the Lilywhites can produce a strong defensive display in Yorkshire, saying: “We played there earlier on in the season and drew 0-0 and I think if we get back to our resilient ways at the back and keep defending, like we did today really.
“One little switch off and they scored today, we know we’re solid on our day when we get it right and we just need to make sure that’s Thursdays night.”