Looking back: Mooney magic dazzled Deepdale when Preston North End beat Mansfield in 1988

Mooney scored a cracker of a goal to give PNE the lead in this Deepdale contest just moments after returning to the action.

The Irish winger had spent a few minutes with club doctor Nick McCraith in the dressing room having six stitches put in a head wound.

His head was probably still stinging from Dr McCraith’s patchwork when he collected the ball on the right-wing in front of the West Stand.

Mooney cut inside past a couple of Stags defenders and smacked a 25-yard shot with his left foot into the far top corner of the net.

Dr McCraith might have claimed an assist, but he missed the goal – he was on his way back to his seat in the stand when Mooney’s shot hit the back of the net!

The 37th minute goal set North End on their way to victory against a Mansfield side who had boasted the Third Division’s meanest defence prior to arriving at Deepdale.

When they left town with their goals against column dented, it was PNE who had overtaken them in terms of the lowest number of goals conceded.

Mick Rathbone scored the second goal, that an early birthday present ahead of blowing out 30 candles on his cake the following day.

North End were on a good run of form going into this game, unbeaten in five.

That sequence had included away victories at Chesterfield and Brentford, before Gillingham were hammered 5-0 at Deepdale.

A creditable 1-1 draw at Swansea had come the week before Mansfield’s visit.

Playing with confidence, North End started this game strongly, They forced four corners in the opening five minutes and have several shots at goal.

Mooney trotted of for his doctor’s appointment and came back to steal the show.

Interviewed after the game, Dr McCraith said: “I was climbing the stairs at the back of the stand after treating Brian when I heard the roar of the crowd.

“He could at least have waited until I had taken my seat!”

Mansfield rallied in a spell up to half-time, with Gordon Owen shooting over when it looked easier to score.

PNE keeper David Brown then saved well from John Ryan’s header.

In the second half, North End regained control and drove forward looking for a second goal.

Mark Patterson forced a good save out of Brian Cox, then Gary Brazil sent a drive crashing against the post.

The Lilywhites clinched victory in the 74th minute, Mooney turning provider.

He cut in along the byline and put over a low cross which Rathbone helped over the line from close range.

Late on, Patterson saw a shot saved well by Cox after Jeff Wrightson’s pass had played him through.

PNE: Brown, Williams, Atkins, Hughes, Wrightson, Rathbone, Mooney, Joyce, Patterson, Ellis, Brazil. Subs (not used): Miller, Swann.

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