Jerry Yates scored his THIRD brace in just four games to earn Blackpool the derby spoils against fierce rivals Preston North End with a thrilling 4-2 win.
For the second game running, Appleton made four changes to his side.
It meant former Pool loanee Ben Woodburn kept his place in the starting line-up on his return to Bloomfield Road. Going the other way, meanwhile, Potts tested Maxwell with a powerful low shot with Maxwell initially spilled before claiming at the second attempt.The encounter continued to feel a little flat after losing all the intensity and tempo of the opening exchanges, with the atmosphere dropping off as a result.
The hosts were a little fortunate to escape a minute or two later though when Maxwell made a hash of Ben Whiteman’s awkward long-range effort, which bounced just in front of the former PNE man before he palmed it away back into the six-yard box. But fortunately for Pool, Marvin Ekpiteta was there to head behind.
Nevertheless, it was Preston that continued to look the more likely as the Seasiders struggled to keep hold of the ball for sustained periods of time. It was a goal out of nothing, not that the home side will care, as Patino picked out the bottom corner with a rifled effort from range.