The Deepdale manager was satisfied after watching an 11-0 walloping of part-timers FC Erdal Hallein on Saturday.

But with fitness being the only concern so early in the pre-season preparations, it was straight back to hard graft at Springfields on Monday.

Irvine said: "Winning is important once the season is underway – but at the moment it is not the most important thing.

Ruthless North End went goal crazy in Hallein, enjoying themselves against the locals with some slick football after being cooped up all week at their boot camp in Obertraun.

Neil Mellor smashed a hat-trick, Richard Chaplow banged in two and there were others from Brett Ormerod, Karl Hawley, Darren Carter, Youl Mawene, Simon Whaley and a rare strike from Matt Hill.

Irvine split his squad in half to give everyone 45 minutes in the first friendly of the summer.

The manager had planned a full 90-minute run-out for everyone over in Austria.

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But that idea bit the dust when Friday night's scheduled fixture against Romanian champions CFR Cluj at the club's training base was called off earlier in the week.

The players will get a more intensive work-out tomorrow night when they tackle Bamber Bridge and Chorley in simultaneous matches at Irongate and Victory Park (both 7pm).

But despite Saturday's opposition – a side from the fourth tier of Austrian football – failing to stretch PNE, Irvine was still pleased with the way his squad looked.

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For a match report read, Monday's Lancashire Evening Post.