Ryan Ledson said everyone working together was key in securing an impressive 3-0 win against Derby County in the Lilywhites’ final midweek match of the season.
The No.18 scored his first goal at Deepdale late on to seal the three points, following earlier efforts from Ben Whiteman and Ched Evans, and thus confirming the Lilywhites’ Championship status for next season.
Speaking to iFollow PNE post-match, the midfielder praised the efforts of everyone involved in the win.
“I thought we started off brilliant,” he said. “They’re down there and we knew they’d find it difficult. I think there was a stat before the game, when they concede first, they haven’t gone on to win the game.
“We knew that was important and I think we looked comfortable. I thought Ched was brilliant tonight, back three, centres halves, were brilliant tonight. I think everyone worked together for that one last push for us obviously to be safe now.
“I think it was about 20 minutes at the start of the second half they were strong. We knew we had to weather the storm. The second goal with Ched kills them off. We’ve gone on to get another one and it’s brilliant.”
Ledson felt the introduction of Brad Potts just after the hour mark changed the game.
“I think it was about 20 minutes at the start of the second half they were strong. We knew we had to weather the storm. The second goal with Ched kills them off. We’ve gone on to get another one and it’s brilliant.
“I said to Pottsy that I thought he changed the game. I think as we weathered the storm, we brought Pottsy on, he’s got legs, he’s strong, and he created the second goal for Ched to put in and then it’s over from there.”
The midfielder’s goal three minutes time rounded things off with his free-kick from the angle going all the way through and into the far corner – but Ledson had no doubts about whose goal it was.
“It didn’t look like it [took a deflection] and I don’t get many so I’m going to have that one I think! I think Ched said to me before, ‘Try to go for the back stick.’ I would’ve liked a bit more height on it, but a goal’s a goal – I don’t get many, so I’ll take that.”
The Liverpool-born midfielder also spoke of the unity within the group and said that helped to push them over the line for the victory in the penultimate game of the season at Deepdale.
“We’re all in it together. The last home game, we know isn’t good enough, nowhere near good enough. It’s not even just for the lads on the pitch, it’s the subs, it’s the staff, it’s the lads sitting in the stands.
“You’ve got Pat Bauer who hasn’t kicked a ball since November, he’s still cheering the lads on, and Joe Raff, Declan Rudd – they’re all the same and we’re all in it together and that’s the main thing.
“It’s about staying together. It’s not all going to be plain sailing, we know that. Since the gaffer’s gone and Frankie’s come in, we’ve just tried to give everything and give the best possible chance of staying in the Championship and it looks like we’ve secured that now.”
Watch more from Ryan on iFollow PNE.