IRELAND INTERNATIONAL DARYL Horgan scored a crucial second-half goal following his introduction off the bench on Saturday to gift Preston North End an important three points away to Burton Albion.
The former Dundalk winger replaced Alan Browne with his side 1-0 ahead with half an hour remaining at the Pirelli Stadium and made a purposeful impact 23 minutes later with his first goal of the season.
Firing a low effort beyond goalkeeper Stephen Bywater he doubled his side’s lead with seven minutes remaining, before a late rally from Burton looked like derailing a win for Alex Neil’s side.
A stoppage time goal from Lucas Akins halved the deficit for the hosts, but acted only as a late consolation as Preston extended their unbeaten run to five games, seeing out the victory which keeps them 10th and five points off a play-off position.
Horgan has not featured regularly since ex-Norwich boss Neil took over at Deep Dale following the depature of Simon Grayson who went to Sunderland in July.
The 25-year-old has not started for Preston so far this season in the Championship, making just seven appearances off the bench, following a debut campaign which saw the winger start 10 times in 17 appearances.
Saturday’s goal was his third for the club since joining alongside defender Andy Boyle twelve months ago and his first of the season.
Horgan has a been a consistent member of Martin O’Neill’s Ireland squads since moving to the Championship, making his international debut in a friendly defeat to Iceland last March.
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