Last-action hero McGeady hits the box just at the right time in derby clash

Aiden McGeady admitted his last-gasp equaliser which earned Preston a draw against Blackburn was something of a collector's item with it coming inside the box.
Preston North End's Aiden McGeady sprints away from Blackburn Rovers' Jason LowePreston North End's Aiden McGeady sprints away from Blackburn Rovers' Jason Lowe
Preston North End's Aiden McGeady sprints away from Blackburn Rovers' Jason Lowe

The winger struck in the 93rd minute at Ewood Park, netting from 10 yards after being teed-up by Tom Clarke.

But the goal owed much to the technique of substitute Paul Galllagher who found Clarke with a fine threaded ball into the box.

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McGeady’s four previous goals in North End colours had been spectacular shots from distance, this one from closer range to make it 2-2 giving him just as much satisfaction.

“That is the first goal I have scored from inside the box this season but listen, I will take any goal,” said McGeady.

“I’d had chances to score in the game – a free-kick over the bar, one which hit the goalie’s hands, one over the bar and one I shanked with my left foot.

“The important thing was that I didn’t go hiding and I was there for the one which I stuck in the net.”

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McGeady applauded the work of Gallagher and Clarke in the build-up.

He said: “Gally has got that composure, he is very comfortable on the ball.

“The game really suited him because in the last 15 minutes we had all the pressure.

“He is a top player and can pick a pass.

“Gally played in Tom Clarke and Clarkey showed great composure as well – I thought he was going to shoot but he played it to me and I scored.

“You’ve got to say that it was a great team goal.”

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North End had taken a 13th minute lead in the derby clash through Tom Barkuizen’s fifth goal in four games.

The hosts battled back to equalise before half-time through Elliott Bennett and then took the lead 11 minutes into the second half with a Craig Conway goal.

In the closing stages, PNE rallied and in the third of four minutes of time added on, McGeady scored in front of the 6,005 travelling fans.

Said McGeady: “It was a very difficult game, Blackburn have adopted a new style with Tony Mowbray who I played under at Celtic.

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“He has the right ideas about football and you can see how Blackburn have been playing recently.

“After we scored the first goal, we sat back and invited a lot of pressure, we were far too deep in the first half and at times in the second half.

“It allowed the Blackburn players to have a lot of space in the middle of the park, that is how they got their second goal.

“That was disappointing, but with us scoring a last-minute equaliser, it almost felt like a win.

“We’re on a good run, we’ve not lost many games in the last three months and are still in touch with the play-offs.”