Preston produced one of the comebacks of the season at Tranmere on Sunday, thanks to a fantastic hat-trick by Hannah Bailey.

Having trailed 3-0 midway through the second period, Simon Gerrard's side reversed the massive deficit, bagging four goals in quick succession late on to take all three points in an exciting clash on the Wirral.

Both teams had early opportunities, with Hannah Bailey and Sarah Berry going close for North End. It was however the home side that snatched the lead with a swift counter attack.

Louise Cafferkey had a shot saved, but within moments the ball was up the other end of the field and firmly nestled in Jenny Horrocks net. North End had failed to clear and paid the penalty when the Tranmere attacker slammed the ball home, making it 1-0.

Preston's Gemma Watson forced the home keeper into conceding a succession of corners with Hannah Bailey finding back of the net, only for it to be rightly adjudged offside.

Further efforts from the Preston duo again were pushed beyond the post by the home keeper.The Whites keeper Jenny Horrocks remained alert to intercept when the ball over the top eluded the Preston defence. Despite the numerous chances for the visitors the home team went into the interval with their 1-0 lead in tact.

An injury to North End captain Sarah Berry on the stroke of half time forced manager Simon Gerrard into making changes for the second period. Alison Taberner was her replacement with a reshuffle in defence midfield necessary. Tranmere also lost their captain through injury a couple of minutes after the restart.

Only five minutes into the second period the Tranmere lead was extended to 2-0. The Whites failed to close down a shot from distance which ended up in the back of the net. Anisha Bateman for North End then saw her free kick go just over the bar before the home side took a 3-0 lead, their player holding her nerve to finish when one-on-one with the keeper.

The deficit was reduced to 3-1 when Hannah Bailey converted a penalty awarded for handball. The lifeline gave Preston confidence and minutes later the young forward became provider, playing a ball from the right across the box for Watson to finish, further cutting the lead.

In an attempt to find an equaliser and obtain a share of the points Gerrard made a double substitution with Mel Martin and Fiona Dransfield taking to the field. The tactical reshuffle worked as Bailey produced her second to level the scores in the 75^th minute, beating her defender and firing past the keeper.

The 19-year-old then went on to claim what was to be her hat-trick and match winning goal, latching on to a through ball from Anisha Bateman. It was a sensational comeback and one Simon Gerrard certainly wouldn't have anticipated half an hour earlier.

Tranmere blazed wide in the final seconds but the referee blew his whistle to complete a dramatic comeback by the visitors with the three points ensuring that they remain in third position maintaining the pressure on Lincoln and Nottingham Forest.