Preston North End retro: Late goal joy for the Lilywhites against Stoke City at the Victoria Ground in April 1991

Shaw stooped to glance a header into the net in the 85th minute of the clash at the Victoria Ground.

It settled the Easter Monday clash in PNE’s favour to the delight of a large away following.

On a personal note for Shaw, his goal silenced the catcalls and jeers from the Stoke supporters.

The Potteries-born frontman had come through the ranks at Stoke and played 99 league games before being sold to North End for £70,000 in summer 1989.

He hardly got the warmest of welcomes from the home faithful on his return, hence the winner bringing him so much pleasure.

“It was a really great feeling to score and I thought the win it gave us was well deserved,” said Shaw.

North End had hit a bit of form prior to venturing down the M6, beating Swansea 2-0 and Crewe 5-1 at Deepdale in the days before.

They were without Ronnie Jepson for the game, so Ian Bogie was pushed forward from midfield alongside Shaw in the attack.

Lee Cartwright, a couple of months on from his debut, was brought into midfield to cover Bogie’s switch higher up the pitch.Stoke omitted former PNE striker Tony Ellis from their side.

Preston started well and were the better side over the course of the game.

In the first minute Steve Harper volleyed over the bar.

At the other end, North End keeper Alan Kelly made a good double save from Wayne Biggins.

PNE left-back Martin James fired just wide after cutting inside.

David Thompson and Harper offered a threat from the wings and were behind many of the visitors’ attacks, Lee Ashcroft later taking over from Thompson to continue the impressive wide play.

Right-back Steve Senior tried his luck with a shot from outside the box which flew over the bar.

The Victoria Ground had not hosted a 0-0 draw that season, so step forward Shaw to ensure that state of play continued.

There were five minutes remaining when North End won a corner.

When the flag-kick came into the box, the dithering Stoke defence took three attempts to clear it.

The ball eventually came out to Senior on the right-hand touchline.

He was given the time and space to drive a powerful cross into the middle.

Shaw met it on the near side of the six-yard box, leaning forward to glance a header across goalkeeper Peter Fox and into the net via the inside of the far post.

It sparked jubilant scenes in the away end, Shaw celebrating with his arms outstretched.

The PNE fans should have been celebrating again in the 88th minute when good work by Bogie set up Warren Joyce.

But the midfielder’s shot was poor and keeper Fox was able to save.

The sound of the final whistle was the cue for a huge roar from the away end and groans from the home fans in a crowd of 11,524.

It was North End’s first win at the Victoria Ground since September 1947, although this was only their seventh visit since then.

Goalscorer Shaw was to rejoin Stoke in August 1992, with him part of a swap deal which brought Tony Ellis back to Deepdale. In all competitions he scored 42 goals for PNE.

PNE: Kelly, Senior, Flynn, Wrightson, James, Thompson (Ashcroft) , Joyce, Cartwright, Harper, Bogie, Shaw. Subs (not used): Jackson.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 per month for the first two months. Try us today by clicking here