Preston North End beat nearest and dearest rivals Blackpool 2-0 in November, but this weekend the Tangerines hit back and won 3-0 on home soil in the Puma Youth Alliance League return fixture.

It was only the side's third game since that derby day win with postponements and the Christmas break wreaking havoc with the fixture list, and for those in the line-up that hadn't featured for the reserves in midweek, the clash represented their first outing of the new calendar year. Coach Jamie Hoyland also opted to rest four of his men - Nathan Fairhurst, Danny Mayor, Matty Mainwaring and Ashley Higgins - ahead of the important FA Youth Cup game on Wednesday when the team travel to Birmingham.

This opened the door for three under 16s as Sam Hart and George Miller made the starting eleven and Jamie Proctor earned a 35-minute run-out from the substitutes' bench.

Despite bright weather and a spell of respite from the recent strong winds, both teams struggled to dictate the game and neither side fashioned a single clear cut chance during the initial stages of play.

Hoyland was dissatisfied that Preston didn't create more chances and felt that Blackpool were rightful winners. He said:

"It wasn't the best match in the world, and I didn't think there was much quality from both sides. We didn't deserve to win but 3-0 flatters Blackpool and we are disappointed, but not too downhearted.

"We were a bit unfortunate before the game because I was going to play Michael Conchie but he got injured in the warm up.

"The Seasiders were eager to win the ball back every time we had possession and that shows respect to us because they knew that we can play if we're given time on the ball. Blackpool have got good centre-halves and I think we played too many high balls in there which they found quite easy to deal with."

'Pool scored the first goal after a quarter of an hour when Alex Smith opened up the PNE defence with some neat technique and set-up Jake Hobbs who struck the ball home from close range.

The hosts had another chance a few minutes later when Smith drove a long shot over the bar, while Mike Aspin responded when he came close from a free-kick. Preston delivered a few crosses into the box but they resulted in nothing more than a couple of goalmouth scrambles.

The Lilywhites enjoyed some decent spells of neat passing throughout the first half but their derby rivals were squeezing the midfield area where most of the football was being played.

Blackpool got a shock second in the opening sequence of the second half when Danny Mitchley scored a 30-yard screamer. Thompson in the Preston goal could do nothing but watch the ball fly over his head before it came into contact with the top right corner.

PNE worked themselves into the game after that further setback and Phil Appiah showed a real killer instinct in midfield, getting stuck into tackle after tackle before being substituted on 55 minutes having put in a mountain of good work.

Following something of a lull in the overall entertainment value of the game, Blackpool worked a good chance to increase the lead - rolling the ball towards an open goal - but defender Dominic Collins, who put in a committed performance, rushed back to clear the ball off the goal line.

With 20 minutes left, Ciaron Barton came on for Collins - his first appearance in three months having been out injured - and he found himself in the thick of it straight away as the Tangerines hammered two shots at goal.

The gaffer was pleased that the centre-half had enjoyed a good enough recovery to make a comeback, adding:

"That is a positive that he's got 20 minutes under his belt now, and hopefully he'll go from strength to strength."

Preston looked value for an opening that would have got them back into the game, but instead Blackpool sealed the win following their third corner -Hobbs converting from a rebound. It could have been so different had Hart succeeded with an acrobatic goal of the season contender just moments earlier, but instead could only turn and watch in anguish as his effort flashed narrowly wide.

Despite his progress and numerous youth team starts this season, this was a game Hart claimed he wouldn't be ranking amongst his personal favourites. He revealed:

"I thought it was a hard game and the team battled well. I was trying but it wasn't coming off for me and their goals were a bit iffy."

Hoyland was able to take positives from the day's work - particularly with so many of the next generation of youth team players coming in and proving their worth. He added: 

"This was another game for players for next season, and in particular I felt George Miller was excellent today.

"Getting three points on a Saturday is not as important as the development of the players and putting in a good performance, and that's exactly what we'll be looking to do when everybody will be watching on Wednesday night at Birmingham."

Birmingham City lie in wait as the scholars look to get back to winning ways in midweek - their fourth round tie in the FA Youth Cup being played at Solihull Moors FC at 7pm on Wednesday evening. The tie represents the under 18s' biggest game of the season as the Lilywhites hope to make the last 32.

PNE: Chris Thompson, Mike Aspin, Dominic Collins (Ciaron Barton 70), Ray Shearwood, Chris Rogers, George Miller, Tom McMahon, Phil Appiah (Jamie Proctor 63), Sam Hart, Arran McCarthy, Tom Smyth.

By Frida Larsson