up the numbers
bolton wanderers 1
Beevers (12)
Preston north end 3
Barkhuizen (53), Maguire (77, 90)
Super sub Sean Maguire celebrated his return to action with Preston’s second and third goals in a comeback win at Bolton.
The 23-year-old Irishman had only been on the field for 12 minutes when he fired home in the 77th minute.
Maguire, side-lined since November 1 by hamstring trouble, celebrated by whipping off his shirt and punching the air in delight in front of nearly 4000 North End supporters.
And he sealed the result in injury-time with a simple tap-in to give Preston a first win in five games.
The visitors had trailed to Mark Beevers’ first goal of the season after 12 minutes, but Alex Neil’s side created the better chances.
So, there was no surprise when Tom Barkhuizen equalised early in the second half. After that there was only going to be one winner and Maguire made sure with his double strike.
Wanderers’ survival hopes received a pre-game boost with confirmation of the signing of Chinedu Obasi on a deal until the end of the season, subject to international clearance.
North End could have been in front before Beevers struck. Alan Browne’s ball played in Billy Bodin only for the striker to be crowded out. Bodin was then on the end of Paul Gallagher’s cross, but this time Ben Alnwick saved.
And it was against the run of play when Wanderers hit the front – Felipe Morais’ corner caused panic in the visitors’ six-yard box. Dorian Dervite’s initial effort was blocked, but the ball broke to Beevers, who fired home.
Beevers then saw a header cleared off the line by Greg Cunningham as Bolton chased a second, although Barkhuizen was frustrated by Alnwick’s fine fingertip save after being put in by Browne.
If Preston felt hard done to by the interval scoreline, they quickly rectified the situation.
A quick counter-attack saw Callum Robinson thread a ball through for Barkhuizen to equalise with a superb angled shot into the bottom corner.
Bolton made a double substitution, bringing on Adam Le Fondre and Jan Kirchhoff, and the German’s first touch brought a vital save from Declan Rudd.
But it was Maguire’s introduction for Bodin that made the difference, firstly converting a left-wing cross by the near post and then side footing into an empty net to seal victory the visitors.
The turnaround has been satisfying for Hartley, but he also admits it has been a relief.
“When you go into a new job, you go in looking for a reaction in the first couple of games,” he said.
“We didn’t get it and, having just left Dundee, you’re thinking, ‘Oh no, not again’.
“It needed a change in mentality, and we’ve had a big turnaround in players, which has made a difference.
“The guys who have come in have done really well.
“But it’s not just that we’re picking up a lot of points.
“We’re also set up very offensively and we’re scoring goals.
“On a personal level, it’s a relief, as you do start to doubt yourself a wee bit and think, ‘ Should I be doing things differently?’
“But you have to stick to your beliefs. This is how I’ve worked for seven years as a manager.
“OK, you have to adapt a wee bit, work differently.
“But your principles shouldn’t change. For me, that means hard work.
“And, when you’ve had that doubt, when it starts to come good, it makes it even more satisfying.”