Preston North End showed the hallmarks of a successful side as they beat Luton Town

The Lilwyhites gave everything on the pitch, in the heat, to see their slender advantage home, after Brad Potts scored a goal of the season contender.

North End were made to battle for every inch at Luton against last season’s play-off semi finalists, with a change of shape and two players swapped out from their last league game. Daniel Johnson and Emil Riis were the men to miss out, with the shape changing to a 3-4-2-1

It was not easy for Lowe to change his side but feels the ability to do show, and the unity off the back of the decisions, can lead to success this season.

“I said to the group that Thursday nights are horrendous because you've got to pick a team,” he said.

In DJ and Emil's case I'm speaking to them saying I'm going with this and they're tough conversations but they're honest conversations.

"Successful teams, if you look at Nathan Jones' team last year which we strive to be and the mentality they had, with the budget they had, we're trying to follow suit.

"He probably used about 30-odd players last season to get to where they got to. We know we've got to use the squad and we will utilise the squad to get to where we want to get to.”

There was a tense end to the game, as eight minutes of stoppage time were played at the end of the second half.

But relief soon followed after the final whistle with the point secured – with every PNE player on the bench stood up with anxiety, and then jubilation.

Lowe said: “My heart was going in those last minutes. I fist pumped myself and I actually smacked our kit man in the face when he said it's done, I was just dead excited! I think it woke him up.

"You only have to look at the lads on the sideline when the whistle went, they're all together.

"That's what successful teams are about, being together and having that togetherness. I said that to the group, it was brilliant.”