Joe Rodwell-Grant scored his side’s only goal on his return to Preston North End U19s in a 1-1 draw away to Bolton Wanderers.
The 19-year-old found the net on 39 minutes with an accurate, curling finish from the edge of the area.
Up until that point, it had been a frustrating morning for the centre forward, but he is aware just how important is to take the opportunity when it arrives.
“You’ve got to sniff out any opportunities that come your way,” he said, speaking to PNE.Com after the match.
“I’m just always alert to any mistakes, and it is tiring after 90 minutes to keep alert in the last few minutes but that’s what the best strikers do.”
The second-year scholar, who impressed during pre-season with the first team, made only his second appearance for the U19s this season.
He was impressed with how his teammates played, despite missing many key men to a combination of injuries, illness and international duty.
He said: “The team performance was good, we battled hard, we were brave on the ball and we created loads of chances.”
Rodwell-Grant felt that on another day the Lilywhites could have won the match and were unfortunate not to do so.
“Kitt Nelson had a good chance in the six-yard box and was unlucky not to put that away,” he said.
“I had a few chances and made a few chances so you always feel unlucky to not get the three points and score more goals but I guess that’s football.”