PNE classic game series: Victory at Wigan pushes PNE closer to promotion in 2000

Preston North End took 7,000 of their fans down the M6 to Wigan on April 4, 2000, and took a huge step towards promotion at the JJB Stadium.
PNE defender Michael Jackson celebrates in front of the North End fans at Wigan with Paul McKenna and Graham AlexanderPNE defender Michael Jackson celebrates in front of the North End fans at Wigan with Paul McKenna and Graham Alexander
PNE defender Michael Jackson celebrates in front of the North End fans at Wigan with Paul McKenna and Graham Alexander

Hosts Wigan were one of the sides on PNE’s tail in the Second Division promotion race but the 1-0 victory helped shake them off.

Michael Jackson scored the contest’s only goal in the 17th minute and it was a rather spectacular one too.

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The centre-half hooked a shot over his shoulder and over Wigan goalkeeper Roy Carroll after a mistake in the home defence.

Michael Jackson hooks home PNE's winner at Wigan in April 2000Michael Jackson hooks home PNE's winner at Wigan in April 2000
Michael Jackson hooks home PNE's winner at Wigan in April 2000

Jackson proved to be PNE’s bloodied hero, ending the game with his white shirt covered in claret after he had taken a kick in the face.

The build-up to the winner started with a free-kick from Paul McKenna which struck the wall and bounced out for a corner.

McKenna claimed – and with good reason – that it had struck an arm in the wall.

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Rob Edwards and Bjarki Gunnlaugsson worked the corner short, with Edwards sending a cross into the box.

Michael Jackson turns to celebrate with Bjarki Gunnlaugsson and Jonathan MackenMichael Jackson turns to celebrate with Bjarki Gunnlaugsson and Jonathan Macken
Michael Jackson turns to celebrate with Bjarki Gunnlaugsson and Jonathan Macken

Wigan striker Neil Roberts got his angles all wrong when trying to head clear, putting the ball across goal into the six-yard box.

Jackson was first to react, hooking a shot over Carroll into the net.

Off he went to celebrate with the travelling fans who filled one side of the ground.

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Preston skipper Sean Gregan met a Graham Alexander free-kick but headed over, while there were chances too for Gunnlaugsson, Iain Anderson and Mark Rankine.

Before half-time, North End keeper Teuvo Moilanen pushed Simon Haworth’s shot behind, then tipped a header from Arjan de Zeeuw over the bar from the corner.

The second half saw PNE try to extend their lead but without leaving gaps at the back.

Jon Macken put a shot too close to the keeper from a good position which would have saved a nervous finish.

As it was, North End held on and the promotion push gathered a great deal of speed as a result. Promotion and the title came 20 days later for David Moyes’ men.

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