We go back an astonishing 19 years to a game that seems like yesterday, when North End’s current goalkeeping coach was heavily involved for the Millers, in our latest match to remember.
That March 2002 afternoon, Richard Cresswell proved there is life after Jon Macken as his double brought North End a hard-earned win over Rotherham United at Deepdale.
The 24-year-old pounced in each half to give David Moyes' men a third win in four games - and move them a step closer to the division one Play-Off places.
For Rotherham, however, attention is still fixed very much on the other end of the table with the Millers still two wins shy of the 50-points Ronnie Moore predicted would be enough to ensure survival.
North End just about deserved the three points, but Moore will rue a first-half miss from striker Alan Lee that may well come to rank as one of the misses of the season.
Lee only had to stroke the ball into an empty net from 15 yards, but somehow contrived to pull it wide of the net
He made amends with a second half leveller, but had he put the visitors ahead with his early sitter the result may have been very different.
Early on Cresswell, looking lively on the right, supplied an excellent cross which enticed Millers keeper Mike Pollitt, but he could only palm the ball as far as David Healy, whose low effort was eventually smothered.
Six minutes later, Rob Edwards' deflected shot was only just saved by Pollitt, with the subsequent goalmouth scramble provided near misses for Dickson Etuhu and Healy.
Just after the half-hour mark Rotherham were dealt a blow when keeper Pollitt fell awkwardly after claiming a straight-forward catch from Graham Alexander's corner.
The highly-rated stopper was unable to continue, paving the way for Ian Gray to come on in his place.
In first half injury time Cresswell unexpectedly managed to get on the end of Edwards' corner, heading in from point-blank range with substitute ’keeper Gray seemingly badly placed.
Rotherham looked to be posing little if any threat, but they shocked the home faithful with an equaliser in the 66th minute.
John Mullin delivered a defence-splitting pass and Lee made up for his earlier howler by lifting a deft finish beyond the advancing David Lucas.
But four minutes later, PNE took advantage of bad marking to restore their lead four minutes later.
With Etuhu again charging through the centre, Guy Branston's tackle ended with the ball falling loose to Cresswell, who tucked a first-time effort low beneath Lucas.
Consolidating their growing reputation as late-season specialists, the Lilywhites marched on towards the Play-Offs.
PNE line-up: Lucas, Alexander, Edwards, Lucketti, Eaton, McKenna, Gudjonsson (Cartwright, 70), Etuhu, Anderson (Keane, 58), Healy, Cresswell. Subs not used: Basham, Reid, Moilanen.
Rotherham United line-up: Pollitt (Gray, 33), Hurst, Swailes, Branston, Bryan, Daws, Sedgwick (Monkhouse, 73), Richard Barker (Robins, 57), Mullin, Lee, Warne. Subs not used: Watson, Beech.
Referee: Mr S Baines (Chesterfield)
This weekend will see former North End defender Michael Jackson in the co-commentary seat at Deepdale alongside commentator Jonathan Breeze. You can sign up for a £10 match pass for iFollow PNE now by clicking here.