Accrington Stanley 4 Preston North End 4: Eight-goal thriller in Central League clash

The clash at Euxton finished 4-4, North End having been 2-0 down at half-time and 3-1 behind in the second half.

After clawing back to 3-3, they conceded a fourth goal but Aaron Bennett’s deflected shot from 25 yards deep into stoppage-time earned a share of the spoils.

In what was officially Accrington’s home fixture, PNE fielded their Under-18s team and two first-year pros – the youth-team have been going so well in the North West Alliance.

They fell behind just past the half hour, Jack Nolan finishing well from the edge of the box after seizing on a misplaced punched clearance from Lilywhites keeper Oliver Lombard.

It was a lead doubled two minutes before the interval, Marcel Lewis finishing from close range.

North End were far better in the second half and pulled a goal back in the 51st minute, Bennett going past his man on the right and sending over a cross with Vaughn Green tucked away at the far post.

Accrington restored their two-goal cushion three minutes later, Nolan driving home an angled shot from the left corner of the box.

Joe Rodwell-Grant won a penalty in the 61st minute when he was bundled over by Stephen Sama.

Mikey O’Neill stepped-up to put the penalty into the bottom corner, keeper Liam Isherwood getting a touch but unable to keep it out.

Two minutes later PNE were back in it at 3-3, Bennett pushing towards the box and playing a one-two with Kian Taylor who did well after coming on as a substitute for the injured Josh Seary.

Bennett’s low shot was parried by Isherwood and Rodwell-Grant nipped in to knock home the rebound from three yards.

Taylor saw a 66th minute shot come back off the post after a powerful run on the right.

Accrington regained the lead with 15 minutes left, substitute Owen Devonport meeting a cross from the left to head home from six yards.

But North End had the final say with two minutes of stoppage-time played. Bennett picked up possession in a central area, pushed forward and hit a shot from distance which hit an Accrington defender and looped over the keeper.

PNE: Lombard, Wallbank, Blanchard, Best, Seary (Taylor 50), Amaral, Bennett, O’Neill, Slater, Rodwell-Grant, Green. Subs (not used): Lewis, Nelson, Cross-Adair, Davis.

Accrington: Isherwood, Patrick, Rich-Baghuelou, Moonan, Sama, Pritchard (Stowe 46), O’Sullivan (Devonport 68), Proctor, Nolan, Lewis (Trickett 85), Leigh (Poilly 75). Sub (not used): Hood.