A brace from Daniel Johnson and an Emil Riis strike earned Preston North End all three points against Barnsley on Gentry Day.
Two fine strikes from DJ – left wing back on the day – and a good finish from Riis helped to turn the game around after Aiden Marsh’s early opener for the already-relegated hosts.
There were 2,000 PNE fans in attendance on the club’s annual Gentry Day, as they paid respect to those who are sadly no longer with us.
Ali McCann, one of two changes from Monday evening, had the first chance of note, firing just over from the edge of the area six minutes in.
However, the hosts took the lead with their first real foray forward, as Victor Adeboyejo kept the ball in at the byline before hooking it back to Marsh, who found the net with a first-time effort.
Ben Whiteman almost drew North End level immediately, firing a low effort goalwards from 25 yards, but Jack Walton made the save down to his right.
PNE did find an equaliser soon after, though, with great work from Riis creating an opportunity for Johnson, who saw his effort go in off the far post.
Riis then nearly got one for himself, having a vicious effort from a tight angle kept out, before Daniel Iversen had to deny Carlton Morris at the other end with a fine diving save.
Whiteman was so close to earning North End a half-time lead, taking the ball on the bounce and striking a fizzing shot towards goal which took a nick off the crossbar on its way over.
PNE went ahead nine minutes into the second period, and in some style too, as the ball was laid back to Johnson on the left corner of the box and he expertly found the far corner with a superb curling effort.
Riis could have made it three on 68 minutes, being found free in the centre by Cameron Archer, but the Dane’s effort was saved at close range.
He did get his goal six minutes later, though, taking down Van den Berg’s ball over the top, before rounding the ‘keeper and finishing from a tight angle.
Mikey O’Neill came on for the last ten minutes or so and nearly scored his first professional goal with his first touch, firing just wide of goal, and he later fed Maguire who had a close-range shot tipped over late in stoppage time.
Barnsley line-up: Walton, Moon, Sraha, Kitching; Hondermarck (Helliwell, 75), Wolfe, Palmer (Odour, 25), Styles; Adeboyejo, Morris, Marsh (Marsh, 66). Subs not used: Flavell, Christie-Davies, Bremang, Helliwell, Ariely.
PNE line-up: Iversen; van den Berg, Bauer (Diaby, 45), Lindsay; Potts, Whiteman, Browne, McCann, Johnson; Riis (Maguire, 84), Archer (O’Neill, 79). Subs not used: Ripley, Cunningham, Rafferty, Sinclair.
Attendance: TBC.
Referee: Mr D Webb.