Gareth Ainsworth scores in Preston North End's 4-0 victory over Coventry City in April 2002

Ainsworth was at the time back with the Lilywhites for the third time his career.

Having twice had spells with them in the early to mid 1990s – it was in the second of which he made his name as a fans’ favourite – he came back on loan for the last few games of the 2001/2002 campaign.

Injury had kept him out of the Wimbledon team for much of the season and this return to his native Lancashire was a chance for Ainsworth to get some match fitness under his belt.

He got the third of PNE’s four goals against Coventry, with Clyde Wijnhard, Dickson Etuhu and Richard Cresswell netting the others in a resounding victory.

As well as his goal, the winger also got three stitches in a head wound after typically going in where it hurts.

The image of Ainsworth playing with his white shirt splattered in blood is rather an iconic one – not quite Terry Butcher for England but along similar lines.

Ainsworth had been brought back to Deepdale by caretaker manager Kelham O’Hanlon who had been placed in charge after David Moyes had left for Everton.

O’Hanlon had also signed Wijnhard on loan and the Dutch striker – borrowed from Huddersfield – took just five minutes to open the scoring.

Rob Edwards curled over a corner left-footed from the right and Wijnhard got up at the near post to head into the net – Coventry goalkeeper Magnus Hedman getting the final touch but unable to keep the ball out.

A carbon copy of that corner routine saw North End double their lead in the 27th minute.

Again it was Edwards who delivered the corner and this time it was midfielder Etuhu who headed home. Etuhu ran off to celebrate, ripping his shirt off in joy.

Early in the second half a free-kick from Graham Alexander stayed low and went past everyone in the box, Hegman having to stick out a foot to block.

The keeper then made a smart save to tip over another Alexander free-kick.

By this point, Ainsworth was bandaged up and the front of his shirt covered in blood after he had thrown himself into a challenge which was 80-20 in his opponent’s favour.

He delighted the home fans when he made it 3-0 in the 85th minute.

Cresswell knocked the ball down the left-wing for Michael Keane to chase.

The Irish youngster got there moments before Colin Healy caught him with a late tackle and drove over a low cross which Ainsworth knocked into the net.

There was more to come, 90 minutes showing on the clock when Wijnhard crossed from the right for Cresswell head home.

PNE: Moilanen, Alexander, Jackson, Gregan, Edwards, Ainsworth (Anderson 89), Keane, Etuhu, McKenna, Wijnhard, Cresswell. Subs (not used): Rankine, Healy, Eaton, Lucas.