After being drafted into the side two hours before kick-off, Chris Kirkland put the clean sheet down to his team-mates after the 0-0 draw.
Kirkland was making just his second appearance this season after arriving at North End in the summer and has deputised several goalkeepers this season.
And after the latest goalkeeper in-between the sticks, Anders Lindegaard fell ill before kick-off, it was up to the former Liverpool shot-stopper to step up to the plate, and he put on a solid performance as North End took points off yet another top six side.
“The defence has been superb all season, and they’ve worked particularly hard today, so it was easy to fit into the side.
“Credit to the staff for having such a good squad and such a good team spirit - it’s the best I’ve been involved in since I’ve been here.
“It was a magnificent hard-working performance. This league’s getting harder every year and if you don’t work hard you’ll get punished. We’ve proved on today we can give anybody a match.
“I didn’t have much to do in reality - I got away with one as well but you need that bit of luck, I’ve had a few of them go against me in my career, so it was great to keep a clean sheet today.
It’s been a testing few weeks for North End’s goalkeeping department with Kirkland himself suffering an injury just a fortnight ago, but the 34-year-old believes his vast experience in the game saw him through following the stalemate that ensures Preston remain within touching distance of the Play-Offs.
He continued: “Anything can happen in football so you have to be ready and waiting. It’s great to be involved and I’ve felt as fit as I’ve ever been.
“I did my medial 10 days ago and I trained on Thursday for the first time since then. We couldn’t train yesterday because of the waterlogged pitch so it hasn’t been ideal, but I think the experience saw me through.”
For more reaction to Preston’s 0-0 draw from the gaffer and a player, head to PNE Player here.