When Preston North End were rooted to the bottom of the Coca-Cola Championship at the turn of the year, few would have given the Lilywhites a chance of escaping the mire. However Alan Irvine's men have not only made themselves safe, but they've done it with games to spare.

Irvine was charged with the job of steering North End clear of danger and despite what have been some worrying times for everyone concerned with the Club, the Scottish boss has achieved his aim and will now look forward to getting his teeth stuck into next season.

Preston Chairman Derek Shaw was the man who appointed Irvine in mid-November, and today he praised Alan, the players and his staff, for what he described as a magnificent effort.

"Alan and his backroom staff have done a magnificent job and the lads have responded to what in January looked to be a serious position," the Chairman told pne.com after Saturday's match.

"It would have been an absolute disaster to have got relegated but the players and everyone else have responded from a difficult situation and thankfully we now have enough points to know that we are a Championship club again."

Irvine set his players a target of 54 points to avoid relegation, and some fantastic performances and results in 2008 have made that tally a reality. Shaw believes that the PNE Gaffer deserves every credit for masterminding PNE's revival.

He said: "Alan has done a fantastic job. He made it clear what he wanted from the players in January and through hard work and determination we achieved our goal of safety.

"The manager has been absolutely brilliant and I'm sure he will be the first to give a big thank-you to his backroom team who have also worked their socks off to get us to safety."

North End can now look to the start of the 2008/09 campaign safe in the knowledge that their Championship future is secure, if they can continue their fine form of 2008, there will be plenty of optimism for a good crack at promotion next season.

"We can all now start preparing for next season," said Shaw.

"Alan will have a look at what he wants to do over the summer months and like every manager we have had here, we will back him in every way possible that we can to help him achieve his goals.

"Let's hope that next year we get stuck in early and have a far better season, with the squad and players that we have got here and our Championship record in recent years there's no reason why we shouldn't be fighting at the top end of the table. It would be great to think that this time next year, rather than celebrating avoiding relegation we might be celebrating up at the other end of the table."