Saviour Michael Conchie helped hard-working North End to a 2-0 victory over Morecambe.

The substitute had only been on the pitch for three minutes when he managed to find the net - the striker volleying past the goalkeeper after a scramble inside the box on 68 minutes.

It marked a terrific comeback for 'Conch' who wanted more than just one goal and struck again seven minutes later, this time claiming the assist. He clinically delayed a return pass to Ash Higgins - holding up the delivery of his through ball to perfection to send Higgins through on goal with a perfectly-choreographed one-two.

Higgins showed his gratitude with a sharp finish, placing the ball inside the far post. The whole team fought hard throughout the match but it was undoubtedly Conchie's introduction that provided the spark they Lilywhites needed to claim all three points.

The Liverpudlian has missed the last four games due to a groin injury and was more than pleased with his comeback, revealing:

"Jamie [Hoyland] has been talking all week about desire and wanting to score goals and then I just wanted it more. We dominated the game and it was only a matter of time until the goal would come."

The set-up for the second goal was taken straight from the textbook and Conch said: "I saw Ash make a run, picked him out and just slotted it. It was a good build up and we really deserved the points today."

Morecambe placed intense pressure on the PNE defence in the opening minutes but Mark Bloxam stood up to the difficult task with some intelligent tackles.

Captain Nathan Fairhurst created the first scare at the other end - collecting the rebound from Matty Mainwaring's free-kick, but his shot landed narrowly wide of goal.

Mainwaring then had a header on target which Morecambe's goalkeeper collected but spilled. Only a lack of fortune prevented PNE from tapping in the loose ball as it broke free in an enticing position.

The first half was characterised by Danny Mayor and Mike Aspin continuously delivering fine crosses into the box from the right flank alongside a handful of corners and freekicks. Near enough everyone had a go with Bloxam and Tom Smyth coming closest. First the goalkeeper tipped the ball over the bar from Bloxam and then a defender cleared it on the line when Smyth tried his luck.

Morecambe later carved a good opening to take the lead but quality goalkeeping from Chris Thompson kept the hosts at bay as he won a one-on-one battle right before the break.

The first quarter of the second half was all about Preston, who kept going despite the frustration of not finding the net. The team had everything in their build up; speed, flare and tidy passes - so it was inevitable that the opener was just around the corner.

The fresh legs of man-of-the-match Conchie proved to be the inspiration the side needed, with his own efforts securing the first goal and his creativity inspiring the second.

Although the whole team worked tremendously for ninety minutes, the Terrier, Tom 'Macca' McMahon must be singled out giving nothing away. The midfielder said:

"I think this was one of my best performances all season. I have played right back the last few games but I've been pushed to centre midfield today and that's where I like playing. I just love getting around the ball.

"The pitch was scrappy like Sunday League standards, but we battled and in the end we came out on top. We worked hard and kept going and the chances came, but I think we could have taken our chances better though."

Morecambe went into the game bottom of the league having won only one game this season and Macca claimed it was one of those occasions where three points were a must.

"I'd say we are one of the best teams in the league and we are expected to beat them, but we want to beat everyone, no matter what.

"In the last two games we could not get into it. They [Bury and Port Vale] were bigger teams than Morecambe but I still think we should have beaten them."

The two narrow deficits - 4-3 at Bury and 3-2 at Port Vale - were a setback for the team, but everyone pulled it together on the Lancashire coast and Macca immediately knew where the inspiration came from.

"Jamie [Hoyland] spoke about desire during the week and asked us 'who will stand up and take charge and get us going again?' - I think we all did. We bounced back and we are playing Burnley next which should be a good test coming off the back of a win."

Coach Jamie Hoyland added: "Morecambe only lost 2-1 to Burnley last week who are second in the table and we lost 3-1 to them so we knew today we had to be right on it to get a result out of the game.

"It was very much a team effort. I've had a few words with the squad this week about being a team, having the desire and the belief. They are all good footballers but there are other parts of the make-up you need to become a better footballer.

"They have won games when they not really have had to try that hard and then when they have played better sides if you are not doing that for 90 minutes you'll get punished. Today, however, they have been switched on for 90 minutes and they really wanted to win the game, spot on!

"I hope with the result today that we will get a little bit confidence back and the belief that we can score goals."

PNE: Chris Thompson, Mike Aspin, Dominic Collins, Mark Bloxam, Chris Rogers, Danny Mayor, Tom McMahon, Nathan Fairhurst, Matty Mainwaring, Ash Higgins, Tom Smyth (Michael Conchie 65). Subs not used: Ray Shearwood, Adam Barton, Phil Appiah, Jack Cudworth.

By Frida Larsson