Pompey 3 Preston 1: Neil Allen's verdict - A moment of beauty now in Fratton folklore

Neil Allen's verdict

There have been some special goals scored at Fratton Park over the years. Bobby Zamora’s volley against West Ham, John Ward’s chip against Chelsea and, of course, Paul Merson’s against Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal in 1997. That belter from Lomana Tresor LuaLua against Cardiff back in 2003 deserves a mention too. But the goal scored by Joe Pigott against Preston North End on Saturday afternoon is right up there with the very best of them.

For sheer audacity and technique it takes some beating, the striker improvising brilliantly to flick the ball over the onrushing Freddie Woodman and then scissor-kicking it into the unguarded net. It has already been viewed well over 100,000 times on social media and, as the likes of Gary Lineker and Micah Richards have shown, it has not gone unnoticed further afield.

Like many, I’ve watched it numerous times since and it is still breathtaking every time I do. It is the sort of strike you will never tire of watching, a goal that will live long in the memory of all who were fortunate enough to witness it.

A moment of beauty now in Fratton folklore

It was a goal worthy of winning any game but, in the context of this match, it was absolutely huge. Pompey had been second best for much of the first half and, after Emil Riis Jakobsen had given Preston a deserved lead, it looked as though Danny Cowley’s side were heading for a first home league defeat of the campaign.

But the introduction of Colby Bishop from the bench changed the game, the striker scoring a deserved equaliser just minutes after coming on. That lifted the home crowd and Pompey suddenly looked a different team.

With the Fratton faithful right behind them, Cowley’s side produced their best spell of the game and were eventually rewarded when Pigott produced that moment of magic. With the crowd still baying for more, substitute Tyler Walker then wrapped up the points with a clinical finish in stoppage time.

Pompey's promotion hopes back on track

The win was Pompey’s first in four games and ended Preston’s six-match unbeaten run. It also lifted Cowley’s side back into the top six and, with a trip to Exeter to come on Tuesday, Pompey’s promotion hopes are back on track.

Much will depend on the fitness of Bishop, who was forced off with a hamstring injury shortly after scoring. But with Pigott in such fine form, Pompey should still be confident of picking up three points against the Grecians.