Scorer of two, Will Keane is hoping the victory over Bristol City can kickstart a positive run of form.
The striker was named as a substitute for the opening home match of the year but made his mark once introduced at half-time by netting a brace.
It was a timely three points for North End, with manager Ryan Lowe citing the need to get the Championship form back on track before the game, following back-to-back defeats.
Will said: “We just want to kickstart another run again to be honest, especially at home.
“We want to get that momentum again here like we did at the start of the season.
“It was vitally important, every game is, but after a couple of disappointing results, we want to get on another run, and it was a good place to start today.
“To get that clean sheet as well, I think it was a really solid display from back to front.”
Will could have scored even before he broke the deadlock in the 65th minute, with the striker seeing a powerful effort tipped over by Max O’Leary within 90 seconds of his introduction, while he also soon hooked a close-range effort over.
The home fans were celebrating, though, as he was alive to a loose ball in the Bristol City defence and capitalised to open the scoring, before cushioning home a superb cross in from Emil Riis in the 77th minute.
Goals were the aim when Will rejoined the club in the summer and his brace moves his tally for the season up to eight.
He said: “I’m really pleased. Obviously, it’s a really big three points. I’m just glad to come on and contribute.
“It’s disappointing not to start because you want to start every game, don’t you? I just felt that coming on I wanted to make a positive impact and I'm glad I could come on and do that today.
“I’m really enjoying it [here]. I want to add to that tally, and it was nice to get another couple.
“I just want to keep going and when I get my chance, hopefully I can keep taking it like I have done today.”
🔓 Breaking the deadlock at Deepdale. 🔑#pnefc pic.twitter.com/GLNF0JiKON
— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) January 13, 2024
He’ll be hoping his double will be enough to see him start the next game – a visit to Yorkshire to take on Leeds United.
The two sides only met on Boxing Day at Deepdale, and it was North End who came out on top with a 2-1 win, courtesy of a late strike from Liam Millar.
Will said: “I think we showed in the home game that we don’t need to fear them, and we can take the game to them.
“If we perform like we did against them on Boxing Day then there’s no reason why we can’t get another positive result.
“We want to try and build a bit of momentum again, so we’ll go there positive and hopefully take the game to them and get another good result.”