But his return was overshadowed by Preston Reserves' 7-1 demolition of arch-rivals Blackpool at Bamber Bridge.

Chilvers, who stunned medics by making such a speedy recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon, was given half a game in thePontins League derby.

But by the time he departed after a steady 45-minutes, a young North End side were already 3-1 up and on course for victory.

The game was a personal triumph for winger Joe Anyinsah who grabbed a hat-trick to give manager Alan Irvine a nudge for the first team.

Rob Turner scored twice and the other goals came from Dominic Collins and Adam Barton.

Blackpool, who fielded six senior professionals in their side including ex-North End defender Marlon Broomes, opened the scoring in only the second minute from a Stuart Green free-kick.

But once North End had levelled through Turner – who struck a hard and low drive inside near post after Nathan Fairhurst's swiftly threaded pass after 23 minutes – they took control.

Six minutes later Anyinsah struck his first, a sweetly-timed shot from 25 yards.

Collins poked home from a goalmouth melee after a corner.

Then, once Green had a goal ruled out for the Tangerines just after the restart, Preston went on the rampage.

Four goals in a 14-minute spell in the second half sent the Seasiders home in humiliation.

Turner tucked home a rebound from another Anyinsah blockbuster, then that man Joe was put through by Adam Barton and a classy side-step allowed him to fire home a fifth after 58 minutes.

Two minutes later, his hat-trick was completed as he struck a drive from the edge of the area past the bewildered Gilks.

With 25 minutes to go, Barton was almost on his own in the Blackpool half and slotted past Gilks. The two sides meet again on the Fylde coast next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Deepdale now has its giant screen after workmen completed the installation yesterday.

Preston: Murphy, Stott, Sam Hart, Fairhurst, Collins, Chilvers (Smyth 46), Mayor, Jarrett, Turner (Conchie 72), Barton (Appiah 72), Anyinsah. Subs: Cudworth, Owens
Blackpool: Gilks, Lloyd (Fishwick 61), Coid, Rehman (Eastham 68), Broomes, Southern, Green, Almond, Hobbs, Vaughan, Merella. Subs: Breakell, McKenna, Halstead