Riis to the rescue in sizzling derby

PRESTON’S never-say-die attitude saw them bounce back in style to hit two goals in four minutes in this tasty Lancashire hot pot of a game.

After Blackburn’s leading striker Sammie Szmodics left North End shellshocked with a strike after just seven minutes, old hand Sam Gallagher scored with ease half way through the first half.

But then came Preston’s fightback. Midfielder Robbie Brady, who played for Blackburn’s arch-rivals Burnley before settling at Deepdale, led the charge with a sensational blockbuster.

The 32-year-old Ireland International hit a superb left-foot first-timer that rocketed into the net, giving Rovers keeper Aynsley Pears no chance.

Preston’s leveller soon after was a scrambled affair, put over the line by great Dane Emil Riis in a crowded goalmouth. Not the best of strikes but they all count.

At the death, Preston skipper Alan Browne forced keeper Pears to push round a post – and the match ended honours even.

Preston boss Ryan Lowe was left disappointed. He said: “It was a good point in a local derby but we’re frustrated too. We were camped out in their half, but that’s us unbeaten in five, with the points on the board. Not bad.”

Blackburn’s new boss John Eustace praised his side for their “outstanding start to the game”.

He added: “We have no divine right to win and I was unhappy to concede from two set-piece moves.

“But we’ve shown we have quality players with a really strong bond.

“Now we have to work on being disciplined and applied throughout. “PRESTON: Woodman 6; Storey 6, Lindsay 7, Hughes 6; Millar 7, Whiteman 6, Browne 6, Brady 8 (Mccann (82) 5), Frokjaer 7; Keane 7 (Stewart (70) 5), Riis 7 (Osmajic (82) 5) BLACKBURN: Pears 6; Hyam 6, Mcfadzean 6, Wharton 6; Brittain 7, Tronstad 6, Fleck 5 (Garrett (15) 6), Hedges 6 (Chrisene (64) 6), Szmodics 7; Dolan 6 (Sigurdsson (64) 6), Gallagher 8 STAR MAN: Robbie Brady – hit a blistering equaliser for Preston in an all-action performance. REF: David Webb 7