After going in behind a goal down at half-time, PNE’s Paul Gallagher credited the application and spirit of the Lilywhites as they turned the tables around in the second half to claim the spoils at Deepdale.
North End’s No. 12 got the ball rolling with a well converted penalty to equalise for PNE on 49 minutes, and turned provider moments later to cross in to Sean Maguire who headed in his tenth goal of the season.
Speaking to iFollow after the game, Gallagher felt North End applied themselves well, taking into consideration the results of the last couple of games.
“I think even in the first half we had a few good chances but we found ourselves on the back foot at half-time,” said Gally. “I hold my hand up I should have done better on the edge of the box for the goal but we showed a lot of courage second half.
“We could have felt sorry for ourselves, put our heads down and Leeds could have gone away with a 1-0 victory but we stuck our chest out, turned them and started playing in their half. We got a penalty and then got another two after that and it’s no more than we deserve.
"We’ve played well the last two weeks and not got what we deserve but it just shows you in football if you keep sticking at it you’ll get the result you deserve . We could have felt sorry for ourselves and we could have thought ‘ohh not again’ but we didn’t. We’ve dominated the chances and not put them away but it just shows a lot of bravery to keep going.
“There’s two ways of being brave in football, you can be brave by going in to tackles or be brave by being brave on the ball, and we did that; we dug in and we’re delighted to get the win.
"I’m delighted for Alan Browne to get a goal because he’s worked so hard - and obviously Seani’s worked tirelessly up front on his own and it’s a brave header because the keeper was coming in flying at him.”
Gallagher grabbed the crucial equaliser from the spot early in the second half to set the tone for the remainder of the game, and Gallagher continued that he was always in the frame to take the next spot kick.
“The manager told me that if we get a penalty your taking it,” he continued. “I’ve taken penalties before but it takes a brave person to step up and take one and Alan’s took them before and scored two; he’s confident with them but obviously with the Derby game he’s missed it but I’m delighted for him because he works so hard for the team. He’s been brilliant for us all season and it’s a brave header, what a header!
On his assist, he added: “I looked up and I actually saw somebody on the floor so I thought I’m just going to whip this in and hope for the best.
“We’ve got four big games now and this win can give us confidence and it was just nice to get the goals considering when you look at the last few games where we’ve played really well and not got what we deserved.”
Watch the full post-match interview with Gallagher on iFollow PNE now.