Preston North End retro game - Gary Parkinson on the spot against Manchester City

Just two-and-a-half years earlier, the clubs had been three divisions apart but this October 1998 meeting was a Second Division game.

It was something of an early season promotion clash, City on top of the table and PNE sniffing around not far below them after a good start to the campaign.

At times, David Moyes’ men had to dig in to see off the threat of the hosts but no one could begrudge them the victory.

Parkinson struck from the spot in the 71st minute after Jonathan Macken had been felled in the box.

Victory was a perfect way to put a 1-0 defeat against Walsall nine days earlier behind them.

With Colin Murdock passed fit after a painful rib injury, PNE boss David Moyes made only one change to the side which had lost at Walsall.

Striker Jason Harris finally made the starting line-up after seven appearances as a substitute.

He was asked to partner Kurt Nogan up front. Both worked hard for the team, but neither saw much action in front of goal.

PNE shaded the first half, even though City came closest to scoring when Gerard Wiekens seized on a weak punch by Teuvo Moilanen at a corner and hammered the ball against the crossbar on 31 minutes.

Lee Bradbury, Shaun Goater and Paul Dickov provided a three-pronged City strike force, but for the most part they flattered to deceive.

North End thought they should have had a penalty when substitute Macken’s shot seemed to be handled behind for a corner.

Then Nicky Weaver pulled off a fine one-handed save to turn a Paul McKenna shot behind.

In the 69th minute, North End were saved by some brilliance from Moilanen.

Goater miskicked in front of goal, he sliced the ball sideways to substitute Danny Tiatto and his rasping shot from just 12 yards was saved one-handed by the big Finn.

A minute later, North End broke downfield, an attack which was to lead to their winning goal.

Mark Rankine seized on a mistake from Michael Brown, fed Nogan and he squared for Macken.

Just as the striker was about to get in a shot, he was barged over from behind by Tiatto and referee Mike Fletcher had no hesitation pointing to the penalty spot.

City protested to no avail and Parkinson almost took the net into the crowd with the spot kick.

City roared back in search of an equaliser, Moilanen at full stretch two minutes later to tip Richard Edghill’s curler round the post.

The Preston goakeeper saved low down from Lee Bradbury, then Michael Jackson put in a block to deny.

PNE: Moilanen, Parkinson, Jackson, Murdock, Ludden, McKenna (Cartwright 80), Gregan, Rankine, Eyres, Harris (Macken 61), Nogan (Appleton 83).

Attendance: 28,779