PNE ace ready for Clarets battle

Four games without a win since beating Blackburn on April 2 might suggest to some people that they have one eye on their summer holidays.

But midfielder Browne felt coming back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 told its own story.

He started the recovery with a 73rd-minute goal, then Greg Cunningham slammed in a last-minute equaliser.

It was North End’s first 2-2 draw in the Championship this season.

Browne told the Evening Post: “Being in the dressing room around the lads, I know we are not being lackadaisical at all.

“The way we battled back at Birmingham showed our intent I thought.

“I know that recent results might make it look like we have gone off the boil but there is a real determination to do well.

“Our position in the table shows how well we have done this season and hopefully we can finish it as strongly as possible.

“It is Burnley at home on Friday night, which is going to be a huge game.

“We know what is at stake for Burnley and we will be 100% up for it”

Browne’s goal on Tuesday night was his third of the campaign.

He turned home a cross from Tom Clarke and had plenty of praise for his skipper for the assist.

“It was a great ball to start with from Paul Gallagher and then a fantastic touch from Tom,” said the Republic of Ireland Under-21s player.

“I haven’t seen Tom put a ball in like he did too often and every credit to him, it caused Birmingham problems.

“I had held my run a bit and saw Joe Garner go up for the ball but miss it.

“It dropped nicely for me and I managed to put it away, which was great.

“For our equaliser it was carnage in there and I’m still not sure what went on.

“Greg tried the overhead kick, which hit one post, then Bailey Wright headed against the other.

“There was a bit of a scrap and finally Greg manage to slam it in.

“Two Irishmen scoring wasn’t bad was it?

“It didn’t really matter who scored though, just as long as we got something.

“We could even have come away with more bearing in mind the pressure we had during the second half.

“When you look back at the game, Birmingham came out of the traps early doors and got their goal.

“We eventually managed to get more of a grip on the game, having a decent spell in the first half and then doing well in the second half.

“Birmingham had maybe a 10-minute spell in the second half when they played well and took advantage of that with the second goal.

“Apart from that, I cannot remember our goalkeeper having too much to do.

“We will recover from the Birmingham game now and get ourselves ready to play Burnley.

“Earlier in the season we won at their place and we have generally done well against the teams who are up there in the promotion race. It should be a good game.”