Preston North End retro game - Easter delight for PNE against Leicester City in 1979

Preston striker Mick Robinson challenges Leicester City goalkeeper Mark Wallington at Deepdale

Easter 1979 was a busy one for Preston North End, with three matches squashed into four days.

They saved the best to last, beating Leicester City 4-0 at Deepdale on April 17.

On the Saturday, Nobby Stiles’ men had lost 2-1 at Wrexham, while on Easter Monday they drew 0-0 with Newcastle at home.

A little more than 26 hours after the final whistle of the Newcastle game, North End were back on the pitch to host Leicester, who had a young Gary Lineker among their ranks.

Preston striker Alex Bruce scores against Leicester City at Deepdale in April 1979

They summoned-up the energy to produce one of their best performances of the season, up there with a 4-1 victory over Blackburn and a 6-1 hammering of Charlton Athletic.

Alex Bruce scored twice, with Mick Robinson and Gordon Coleman on the scoresheet too.

This was North End’s first home win since February, and only a second victory in 13 games overall.

Nine of those had ended in draws, and with it being two points for a win in those days, draws weren’t a bad thing by a long chalk.

Steve Doyle and Mick Robinson celebrate a Preston goal against Leicester City at Deepdale in April 1979

PNE boss Stiles made two changes to the side which had played the day before, Bruce getting the nod over Steve Elliott up front while Steve Doyle was Eric Potts’ replacement in midfield.

Potts had been injured in the Newcastle stalemate.

It took North End only five minutes to take the lead in front of a 10,394 crowd.