Kitt Nelson scored a last-gasp winner for Preston North End U19s in a 2-1 victory over Stockport County in the league.
An own goal from Stockport and a 95th-minute goal from Nelson secured all three points for the Lilywhites on home turf.
In typical North End fashion, chances were created from the first whistle – notably Nelson taking a shot from a loose ball which hit the crossbar in just the second minute of play.
Following that, a strong shot from the left foot of Charlie Goldsmith forced a save from the Stockport ‘keeper in the sixth minute, and his header on goal in the 19th minute went just wide of the post.
Whilst PNE pressed, so did Stockport, and a right-footed block from Tom Wilkinson just after the half-hour mark denied any breakthrough for the visitors.
The Lilywhites seemingly went a goal up in the 39th minute, however the referee saw a foul on the Rochdale goalkeeper in the build-up to Nelson finding the net.
As the second 45 got underway, Ellis Horan tried his luck in the 53rd minute, but his attempt from the left went across the mouth of the goal and out of play.
Over on the other side, Stockport opened the scoring just two minutes later, with a shot from just inside the box floating over the hands of Tommy Davis.
Calls for a penalty were heard following Ethan Eccleston being brought down in the box in the 66th minute, and whilst he went off injured, only a goal-kick was given.
But North End got their equaliser just five minutes later, gifted by a Stockport deflection that saw the ball find the back of his own net.
As the game almost drew to a close, both teams were desperate for three points, and both Horan and Nelson tried their luck from outside the box in an attempt to take the lead.
Following those chances, a vital save from Davis in the 93rd minute kept the game level, much to the frustration of Stockport.
Nelson got his redemption from the multiple chances created in the last minute of the game; taking the ball in a composed fashion ahead of the Stockport defence and comfortably slotting the ball into the bottom right of goal.
The full-time whistle blew shortly after, meaning Preston North End took all three points and now sit fourth in league standings.
Coach Andy Fensome was pleased with the result, and emphasised how important improving and developing is going forward.
Fenners said: “I’m a little bit relieved because I think it was a result that we deserved.
“Our first-half performance we had five, six, maybe seven good chances that we didn’t take which is disappointing.
“You have to work hard to create chances and I thought we played some really good football today.
“We look at it as another game and another game for development. Again we’ve got a week to work with the players on things that might not have gone so well today at times and then some of the good things they worked on, like crossing and the chances we created.
“Hopefully next week when we get the chances again we will take them.”
Preston North End U19s now look ahead to their next game, an away fixture against Accrington Stanley in the league.