Keeper scores for Preston
By Paul Higham. Last Updated: January 1, 1970 1:00am
Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan scored a bizarre goal against Leicester City to earn his side a 1-1 draw.
Trevor Benjamin had give The Foxes an early lead at The Walkers Stadium but Lonergan restored parity six minutes before half time when his long punt found its way into the opposition net, to the embarrassment of Kevin Pressman.
Leicester have struggled at home this season, winning just one of their five matches on home soil before Preston's visit.
Their luck seemed to have turned when they were awarded a free kick out on the left following John Curtis' foul on Jason Wilcox.
Gareth Williams' curling free kick was met by Benjamin's glancing header which beat Lonergan to hand the hosts the lead.
Goalscorer Benjamin was forced out of the action on 35 minutes with injury, and Micky Adams' afternoon was about to get a whole lot worse.
Lonergan launched a long kick forward with six minutes left until half time, and Foxes defender Matt Heath routinely left the ball for goalkeeper Pressman to deal with.
However, the former Sheffield Wednesday shot-stopper lost his footing after appearing to be dazzled by the sun, and he could only watch in horror as the ball bounced over him and into the back of the net.
Jamie Scowcroft came close to restoring Leicester's lead when he struck the woodwork from 12 yards, while Nikos Dabizas later wasted a good chance by blazing over.
Substitute Tommy Wright also went close as he saw his late header come back off the inside of a post but North End held out for a draw.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
Kevin Pressman
Trevor Benjamin
Andy Lonergan
