PNE classic game series: Preston go '53 Miles West of Venus' at Orient to clinch promotion in 1987

Chapman chose the perfect moment to score his first goal for PNE.

The 38-year-old, who was manager John McGrath’s No.2, struck eight minutes from time with a pinpoint finish.

Victory saw North End promoted with four games to spare and came just 12 months after they had been forced to apply for re-election.

Asked about scoring such an important goal, Chapman said:”I feel 53 west of Venus.”

That was a reference to a song by the B52s, and a PNE fanzine of the era was to carry that name for a few years.

North End headed to East London on April 25, 1987, knowing three points would see them promoted after two years in football’s basement.

They took the lead in the 18th minute.

Bob Atkins launched a free-kick into the box which Sam Allardyce headed into the path of Gary Brazil, who shot left-footed into the net. Orient equalised in the 33rd minute, David Miller’s foul on Alan Comfort seeing the referee point to the spot.

John Cornwell stepped up to beat Alan Kelly.

In the second half, North End had to hold out against plenty of Orient pressure.

However, they scored the winner in the 82nd minute.

Sam Allardyce played the ball up the left wing for John Thomas to chase.

Thomas turned inside his marker and laid the ball off to Chapman on the edge of the box.

Chapman side-stepped a challenge and hit a low shot across the keeper into the net to get the party started in the away end.

This season proved to be the rebirth of North End after being on a downward spiral since 1981 when they were relegated from the old Second Division.

McGrath rebuilt the squad using a handful of players from the re-election season and adding others on free transfers and low-cost deals.

It proved a winning formula and how the PNE fans enjoyed it.