Looking back: When Preston striker Richard Cresswell kicked-off 2005 with a hat-trick against Sunderland

The Lilywhites striker squeezed his treble into a 30-minute spell to stun a Sunderland side who had gone into the clash as the Championship’s second-placed team.

Cresswell netted in the 13th, 30th and 43rd minute to effectively have the three points wrapped-up by the interval.

The visitors did mount a late fight back, netting twice in the last 18 minutes.

But for North End and Cresswell to be denied their victory would have been a travesty.

It formed part of a very happy Christmas and New Year for Billy Davies’ men.

The win came on the back of a 2-1 victory over West Ham a week before Christmas, a 0-0 draw at Stoke on Boxing Day, then a 3-0 win over Reading on December 28.

After putting Sunderland to the sword, PNE went to Crewe on January 3 and came away with a 2-1 win.

It was a run which lifted them right into play-off contention, momentum which carried them all the way to the final five months later.

The 16,490 crowd, the second highest at Deepdale so far that season, was richly entertained and any hangovers from New Year’s Eve were soon forgotten.

North End opened the scoring after Jeff Whitley’s handball gave away a free-kick on the left-wing.

Eddie Lewis delivered it to the far post, Brian O’Neil flung himself full length to head it back across goal and Cresswell slid it to knock the ball over the line.

It was his 50th goal in a Preston shirt, with 51 and 52 not far behind.

Cresswell’s second goal came on the break, North End having defended a Sunderland corner.

Youl Mawene cleared it to Patrick Agyemang who set off at pace down the right.

He was tackled, the ball breaking across to Cresswell in the centre-circle.

He set off towards goal with defenders in hot pursuit before tucking a tidy finish past the keeper.

Cresswell’s hat-trick was completed two minutes before half-time.

Chris Sedgwick knocked a free-kick short to Lewis who chipped the ball over the Sunderland back line, Cresswell meeting it with a volley on the turn which clipped off the inside of the post and into the net.

Sunderland were given an ear-bashing by their manager Mick McCarthy during the interval and made more of a fight of things in the second half.

North End still produced chances but a late Black Cats rally made for an anxious finale.

Stephen Elliott pulled a goal back with a curling effort from 15 yards, then sub Sean Thornton drilled in from the edge of the box.

Preston held on though, to make it a happy New Year.

PNE: Lonergan, Mawene, Lucketti, Davis, Alexander, Sedgwick (Oliveria 68), McKenna, O’Neil (Etuhu 77), Lewis, Agyemang (Daley 83), Cresswell. Subs (not used): O’Neill, Ward.

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