Preston North End show battling qualities in the final away game of the 1986/87 promotion season at Hartlepool

Frank Worthington and David Miller in action for Preston North End in their 2-2 draw at Hartlepool in May 1987

With promotion from the Fourth Division having been clinched nine days earlier, John McGrath’s men headed to Teesside for a Bank Holiday Monday clash with Hartlepool United.

As he had done for a 0-0 draw with Peterborough 48 hours earlier, McGrath gave a chance to four players who hadn’t started many games in the promotion run-in.

Goalkeeper David Brown, loan defender Peter Zelem, midfielder Ronnie Hildersley and veteran striker Frank Worthington all started.

John Thomas heads PNE's first goal at Hartlepool

Preston were backed by 1,500 of their supporters for the visit to the North East, in a crowd of 2,617.

Results had been strong on the road all season, with the away support strong.

However, things didn’t start well at Victoria Park as Pools took an early lead.

Brown and Zelem got in a mix-up with one another, that allowing Brian Honour to cross for Dean Gibb to put the home side ahead.

PNE striker John Thomas surrounded by Hartlepool players

Hartlepool doubled their advantage in the 21st minute, Gibb’s pass finding Andy Toman who scored.

This clash might not have had anything riding on it in terms of a result for PNE but they shook themselves into life to make sure they weren’t going to end on a losing note on the road.

In the run-up to half-time they halved the deficit.

Central defender Bob Atkins strode up field out of defence and let fly with a shot from fully 30 yards.

PNE's Ronnie Hildersley makes a run at Hartlepool

The ball beat Hartlepool keeper Eddie Blackburn all ends up, it crashing against the bar.

It bounced back into the box where John Thomas ran in to head the rebound into the net for his 28th goal of the season.

The second half of the contest had anything but an end-of-season feel about it.

Things got competitive with the tackles flying in from both sides.

North End defender Alex Jones goes up for a header at Hartlepool

Nine minutes from time, North End equalised to earn themselves a point.

The goal came on the break, Thomas collecting a pass from Hildersely and setting off towards the box.

He played in Atkins who had gone on the overlap down the left.

Atkins met it on the run and delivered a superb cross into the box which Gary Brazil headed home after timing his run into the box with perfection.

That was Brazil’s 20th goal of the season.

He’d really found his scoring from during the promotion run-in and the aftermath, that his seventh goal in the last 10 games.

The PNE fans behind the goal had a superb view of Brazil’s goal and celebrated with gusto, this another enjoyable away day for them.

North End’s final game of the season came five days later against Colchester at Deepdale.

Gary Swann’s header from a Brazil cross settled the game and ensured the promotion campaign finished on a winning note.

PNE: Brown, Miller, Atkins, Allardyce, Jones, Zelem, Swann, Worthington (Chapman), Hildersley, Brazil, Thomas.

Attendance: 2,617