On this day: Preston North End's win at Leicester in April 2006 books them a play-off slot

Preston North End bounced back from the shock of conceding the earliest of goals to beat Leicester City and confirm a play-off place on April 15, 2006.
Jason Jarrett (second left) is congratulated after scoring Preston North End's winner against Leicester at the Walkers Stadium on April 15, 2006Jason Jarrett (second left) is congratulated after scoring Preston North End's winner against Leicester at the Walkers Stadium on April 15, 2006
Jason Jarrett (second left) is congratulated after scoring Preston North End's winner against Leicester at the Walkers Stadium on April 15, 2006

There were only nine seconds on the clock when Foxes striker Matty Fryatt gave his side the lead at the Walkers Stadium.

But North End responded with goals either side of the interval from Simon Whaley and Jason Jarrett to record a ninth away victory of the season and guarantee a place in the top six.

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Results the night before, which saw Wolves and Cardiff in the chasing pack both fail to win, meant that a point for PNE from the trip to the East Midlands would have sufficed.

Simon Whaley moves into position to score PNE's equaliser at LeicesterSimon Whaley moves into position to score PNE's equaliser at Leicester
Simon Whaley moves into position to score PNE's equaliser at Leicester

However, in Billy Davies they had a manager who wanted the maximum from his players and all three points were on his wish list.

The way North End started didn’t make Davies a happy man though.

Fryatt’s goal was the quickest PNE had conceded in their history.

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Leicester had taken the kick-off, it worked back to Gareth Williams who then played it forward between Claude Davis and Graham Alexander, for Fryatt to chase.

Preston manager Billy Davies on the touchline at Leicester in April 2006Preston manager Billy Davies on the touchline at Leicester in April 2006
Preston manager Billy Davies on the touchline at Leicester in April 2006

Fryatt, who has chosen to sign for the Foxes rather than North End that January, ran clear and slotted a low shot past keeper Carlo Nash.

Another ball down the channel presented Fryatt with a similar opportunity a few minutes later, this time Nash getting down to save.

Once PNE got themselves going, Whaley saw a header loop over the keeper, but it was headed off the line by defender Alan Maybury.

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The rebound fell to Brett Ormerod, but his follow-up effort was blocked.

PNE players rush to congratulate Simon Whaley after he scored the equaliser against LeicesterPNE players rush to congratulate Simon Whaley after he scored the equaliser against Leicester
PNE players rush to congratulate Simon Whaley after he scored the equaliser against Leicester

Nash twice saved from Nils-Eric Johansson in the space of 60 seconds around the half-hour mark.

North End equalised just before half-time, that goal coming after they held out against some strong pressure from their hosts.

Ormerod flicked a header into the path of Whaley, who took possession down the left channel.

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Whaley cut inside past three tackles and curled a shot from 25 yards into the far bottom corner of the net.

PNE players applaud the fans after the final whistle at LeicesterPNE players applaud the fans after the final whistle at Leicester
PNE players applaud the fans after the final whistle at Leicester

It then took them less than four minutes of the second half to get their noses in front.

Chris Sedgwick won a corner on the right, one he delivered himself into the middle.

Centre-half Davis flicked it on and Jarrett was left with the simple task of heading home from six yards.

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It was the midfielder’s first goal for the club since arriving on loan from Norwich ahead of a permanent summer switch.

North End protected their lead well, although had five players booked in the last half hour in doing so.

PNE: Nash, Mears, Alexander, Mawene, Davis, Alexander, Sedgwick (Stock 80), Jarrett, McKenna, Whaley, Agyemang (Neal 74) Ormerod (Dichio 67). Subs (not used): Wilson, Ward.