PNE in numbers: Duo close in on latest ban

The latter’s lunge on Elliott Bennett in the 2-2 draw at Blackburn Rovers last time out took the pair level on 13 bookings for the season.

Having already served one and two-game bans already this season the pair will be suspended for three games if they reach 15.

They’ll also be handed a fine and invited down to Wembley for a talking to from the FA.

Both have been key this season, Cunningham second in minutes played behind captain Tom Clarke on 3,540.

The left back is an ever-present apart from when he’s been banned where as Pearson has taken a different route to being an influential figure.

It took until the EFL Cup win at Bournemouth in September for the former Manchester United man to come to the forefront of Simon Grayson’s thinking.

Since then, his industry has seen him become arguably PNE’s player of the year.

Having been late on the scene and possibly ending up serving six games in bans this season it is therefore a sign of his importance that Pearson is still sixth on list of minutes played, amassing 2,433 this campaign.

The midfielder is without a booking in his last three games and Grayson will be hoping both he and Cunningham can steer clear of trouble in the closing weeks of the season as they will undoubtedly be key to North End’s play-off hopes.

Time for them to get off the naughty step.