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The midfielder made his 250th appearance for PNE when coming on as a 64th-minute sub in the 1-1 draw.

It had taken him a little more than six years to hit the 250-game mark, Browne’s debut having been in Match 2014. He was 18 then, not long arrived from Cork City.

Browne had initially come on trial and caught the eye training with the first-team squad.

Alan Browne in his 250th appearance for Preston North End against Bristol City at Ashton Gate

Sufficiently impressed, PNE struck a deal with Cork and the teenager for him to join in the January 2014 transfer window.

Save for a three-month spell in the second half of the 2014/15 season, Browne has been a regular in the squad.

It was as PNE pushed for promotion from League One that Simon Grayson lent the way of experience in the North End midfield and Browne spent time in the stand.

His return to the first-team picture was well timed, with him coming on as a sub in the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Chesterfield and then in the final at Wembley as Swindon were beaten 4-0.

Alan Browne in action for PNE against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup at Deepdale

Ever since Alex Neil came in as manager, Browne has been one of the first names on the team-sheet – he has played 134 games in the last three seasons.

Always adaptable, he had to show his versatility more during 2019/20.

Daniel Johnson excelled in the No.10 role which Browne had filled a great deal in the previous two seasons.

So Browne sometimes had to play a deeper midfield role and on occasions found himself playing at right-back.

His goals tally dipped, four this season compared to 13 and nine respectively in the previous two seasons.

The stand-out of those goals was without doubt in the 1-1 draw with Leeds at Elland Road on Boxing Day.

Browne finished off a fine counter-attack with a calm finish in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

The 25-year-old is among the group of players North End are looking to negotiate longer contracts with this summer.

He is in the last 12 months of his current deal and PNE will not want that to tick down too much further.

In his time at Deepdale, Browne has signed a number of new contracts – North End rewarding him for the progress he has made.

They will be hoping he does likewise this summer.

Alan Browne hits a big milestone in his Preston North End career