Memory match: Preston North End 2 West Ham 1, December 2004

Lewis and O’Neil struck early and late respectively in the first half of an absorbing clash, the Hammers pulling a goal back after the interval.

It was a much-needed win, North End having lost derby clashes to Wigan and Burnley in their previous two games.

They had Andy Lonergan back in goal after a two-month absence with a broken had.

A newcomer on the bench was Filipe Oliveira, signed on loan from Chelsea 48 hours before the game.

PNE took just nine minutes to get their noses in front, a lead they never eased their grip off.

Richard Cresswell chipped the ball into the box, visiting goalkeeper Stephen Bywater clawing it clear.

The West Ham defence were slow to deal with the loose ball outside the box, O’Neil teeing-up Lewis 25 yards out to rifle a shot into the net.

It was a cracking finish from the United States international.

Lonergan showed he had lost none of his sharpness during his time on the sidelines, saving well with his legs to deny Marlon Harewood.

There was another chance for Lewis, his shot clipping off a West Ham boot and looping just too high.

North End went on to have the better of the first half and doubled their advantage in the 45th minute.

If Lewis’ finish had been excellent earlier, O’Neil produced a shot as clean and clinical.

Hammers right-back Tomas Repka made a hash of a headed clearance, the ball falling into the path of O’Neil on the edge of the box.

The Scottish midfielder needed no second invitation, lashing a right-footed shot into the net past a stunned Bywater.

At half-time West Ham manager Alan Pardew sent on Nigel Reo-Coker in place of Luke Chadwick.

Within five minutes of the restart, Reo-Coker had halved the deficit.

Repka wrestled the ball off O’Neil and got down the right before sending over a low cross which the substitute tucked home.

North End protested that O’Neil had been fouled by Repka, O’Neil and Paul McKenna taking their protests too far and earning themselves yellow cards.

They remained their composure and pushed to try and restore the two-goal cushion.

Bywater made fine saves from Lewis and Chris Sedgwick.

West Ham were not out of it, with Teddy Sherigham slicing a shot wide and Lonergan had to dash from his box to boot clear from Reo-Coker.

After the final whistle, Repka was shown a red card for something he said to the officials in the tunnel.

PNE: Lonergan, Mawene, Lucketti, Davis, Davidson (Alexander 89), Sedgwick, McKenna, O’Neil (Etuhu 70), Lewis, Agyemang (Oliveria 80), Cresswell. Subs (not used): O’Neill, Ward.