Nearly 20 years ago, Michael Jackson scored the winning goal at the then JJB Stadium that set PNE on their way to promotion.
Back during the dawn of the new millennium, North End started the 21st century off in style as they eventually cruised to the second division title and climbed up the Football League.
One of the most crucial games at the business end of the season saw the Lilywhites make the short trip down the M6 - where David Moyes’ side had to battle past Lancashire rivals and fellow promotion chasers Wigan Athletic.
Nearly 16,000 supporters were inside the JJB to witness the game, with over half having officially, or unofficially, got their tickets to support the visitors, and they wouldn’t return to Preston disappointed.
North End started the game on top and in control, taking just over quarter-of-an-hour to open the scoring and send the away end into a state of euphoria.
Defender Jackson took advantage of an attempted clearance after David Eyres’ corner and fired acrobatically past Carroll into the Latics net for the opening goal.
After that Moyes’ men did superbly to soak up the pressure in what was a tight and tense affair, but as the whistle went the side knew they were on the verge of promotion - a huge obstacle had been crossed and the team were almost there in their aim for promotion.
Bristol City losing at the same time meant The Lilywhites surged to seven points clear at the top, practically putting them out of reach.
At the end of the season, when his side were crowned champions, the Scottish manager credited the result with outlining the squad’s incredible mentality: “Going to Wigan and winning 1-0 – that was a big achievement. I thought then if the players can overcome that hurdle, they can overcome anything.”
Wigan Athletic line-up: Carroll, Clegg, Griffiths (Bradshaw, 46), Balmer, De Zeeuw, Peron, Cooke, Sheridan, Redfearn, Haworth, Roberts. Subs not used: Sharp, Kilford, Stillie, McGibbon.
PNE line-up: Moilanen, Alexander, Edwards, Kidd, Jackson, Gregan (Basham, 84), Rankine, Macken, McKenna, Gunnlaugsson (Cartwright, 75), Anderson (Eyres, 75). Subs not used: Lucas, Angell.
Attendance:15,993
Referee: Mr U Rennie