North End secured their first clean sheet of the season in a rampant 5-0 win over reigning champions Oldham.

Ashley Higgins scored a hat-trick alongside Matty Mainwaring and Arran McCarthy who also added their names to the score sheet.

Higgins doubled his goal tally to six for the season and was pleased with the team's effort and his own contribution. The striker said: "I am very happy with my performance and getting three goals boosted my goal scoring. Some days you just have good games and everything goes right for you.

"I curled the first one into the far-hand corner with my left foot and I flicked the second one across the goal into the corner. The third one I just got in front of goal and slided in.

"The team did very well keeping a clean sheet. After scoring so many goals it is very hard, especially at this level, but I think we defended really well."

North End started off in a nervous manner, but twenty minutes into the game came the turning point. After a build up involving Tom McMahon, Matty Mainwaring, Danny Mayor, Nathan Fairhurst and Phil Appiah, the whole team spirit changed.

The passing became neat and tidy and the players acted confident and started to play around Oldham. Within ten minutes Preston went ahead when Mainwaring scored following a corner from the left.

Phil Appiah was back in midfield after his three-match-ban and played superb. His elegant through ball to Higgins resulted in the scoreline being 2-0.

Three minutes from the break and Higgins scored his second from Mainwaring's cross.

Arran McCarthy made his fourth of the season on a one-on-one on 51 minutes and Higgins finished of the raid of goals on 63 minutes.

The pace throughout the game was high and both sides played intelligent and for the first time this season there were no bookings. Although 5-0 is a convincing result the guests had a lot to say and created a host of chances without scoring.

Oldham won the league last season with PNE finishing third, but Youth Coach Jamie Hoyland hopes to challenge the Manchester side for the silverware this campaign.

"If we can keep going and keep doing the right things then we have got a chance.

"It's always a hard game against Oldham and probably the toughest game we have played up until now. They competed very well and technically I thought we were good in areas which won us the game. The overall team performance was very good.

"It's nice to have a clean sheet as well. Goalkeeper Chris Thompson has been excellent."

The goalie responded: "I had a shaky start to the season but maybe I put it right now. It's a good feeling and a good confidence boost to keep a clean sheet and hopefully there will be more."

Preston North End: Chris Thompson, Mike Aspin, Mark Bloxam, Dominic Collins, Tom McMahon (Ciaron Barton 70), Matty Mainwaring, Nathan Fairhurst, Phil Appiah (Tom Owens 64), Danny Mayor, Arran McCarthy (Tom Smyth 57), Ash Higgins.

By Frida Larsson