Spoils shared from Lancashire derby at Preston

Posted Sunday, September 02, 2018 by PA

Four first-half goals ensured that the Lancashire derby between Preston and Bolton was an entertaining 2-2 draw at Deepdale.

Goals from Preston’s Callum Robinson and Alan Browne put Alex Neil’s side in front, before a quickfire double from Sammy Ameobi and Pawel Olkowski levelled things up inside the opening 45 minutes.

The result means there has been just one Sky Bet Championship win for Preston so far this season, on the opening day against QPR, with Bolton already racking up three victories in the league.

Preston looked sharp from the start as Robinson gave the home side the lead in the 11th minute. Manchester City loanee Brandon Barker seized on a misplaced pass in midfield and slipped Robinson through – he sidestepped the onrushing Ben Alnwick to calmly slot home from inside the area.

Robinson was involved for Preston’s second goal in the 16th minute, as his chipped cross was only half cleared, with Browne swivelling to volley home the loose ball from 20 yards out.

Bolton responded quickly, and skipper David Wheater almost found a way back into the game in the 27th minute, but his header from a corner was gathered by Declan Rudd at the second attempt.

The visitors finally got their goal six minutes before the break, with Ameobi’s long-range drive deceiving Rudd and flying into the bottom corner.

Phil Parkinson’s side were level two minutes later, as Bolton counter-attacked on Preston, and Olkowski found himself in space inside the Preston box before hammering a powerful strike in off the underside of the bar.

Both sides started the second half with plenty of enthusiasm, but composure was lacking in the final third as substitute Darnell Johnson saw a speculative effort saved on 56 minutes.

Bolton almost found a breakthrough in the 66th minute, but Josh Magennis’ close-range effort was deflected over the bar by Ben Pearson, with Browne making a brave block from Jason Lowe from the resulting corner.

Preston almost regained the lead against the run of play in the 72nd minute, as substitute Lewis Moult’s cross reached Robsinson at the far post, but Alnwick reacted quickly to make the save.

Alnwick denied Robinson again on 77 minutes, as he created some room for himself 25 yards from goal, but the former Sunderland stopper was equal to his drive.

There were ugly scenes after the final whistle, with Pearson shown a red card after an altercation with two Bolton players.