Dave drives Chris wild
BLADES’ boss Chris Wilder needed to be convinced about David Mcgoldrick — but he had proof positive of the striker’s worth yesterday.
He banged in his second goal of the season to give United victory, but only after a nervy run-in as Preston hit back with two late goals in three minutes.
A great run by Enda Stevens saw him put in a telling cross, and the incoming Mcgoldrick made no mistake in beating keeper Chris Maxwell, with North End’s defence failing to cut him out.
Mcgoldrick, put on a week’s trial by Wilder who then signed him on a year’s contract, has certainly proved invaluable, on the pitch and in the dressing room where he lifts spirits.
His late-show strike added to the early strikes by Billy Sharp — a chance set up by Mcgoldrick whose shot was parried to Sharp by Maxwell, and then a cracking header by Chris Basham from an Oliver Norwood free-kick.
A relieved Wilder said: “It’s never dull is it? We’ll enjoy the win and pick the bones out of it next week. At least we picked ourselves up off the canvas after their comeback.
“In truth, we did enough in the first 70 minutes to be out of sight but we got a bit ragged, lost our shape and discipline a bit. In the end, we managed to win it, though not in the way I wanted.”
North End boss Alex Neil (below) admitted: “It was cruel on us, but that’s the story of our season so far. We worked our way back and were then hit by the sucker punch.
“To concede that final goal was poor. We had the back five intact but they worked their way round the back of us and we didn’t deal with it. My glass is still half full, but tainted by the way we conceded.”
Poor old Preston are left with a pointless existence away from home — but it looked like they had snatched a share of the spoils when they shocked United with their unexpected fightback.
United looked to be coasting after goals by Sharp and Basham.
Then Callum Robinson sent Preston’s 658 travelling fans into a frenzy as he hammered a 12-yard drive past on-loan Manchester United keeper Dean Henderson, having been set up by Darnell Fisher.
Minutes later, the unbelievable happened as sub Daniel Johnson levelled the scores after Andrew Hughes set him up. But it was all futile in the end, as Mcgoldrick took his chance to finish the job.