Fleetwood Town’s Youth side ended a run of five successive league defeats as an Aden Wainwright double sunk Preston North End.
Wainwright opened his account for the Cod Army in the 17th minute, before Craig Madden’s men were pegged back in the 64th minute when Joe Whittington replied from the penalty spot.
Town weren’t finished though, as Wainwright struck the winner in the 73rd minute with an effort from the edge of the box to seal all three points.
Madden stuck with the same eleven that lost on penalties to Wigan Athletic in the Youth Alliance Cup the previous Saturday, with Robbie Bromley the only key absentee through injury.
The Cod Army started the game in positive fashion and had an early chance through Jordan Lazenbury. The 2nd year midfielder struck a low drive from twenty yards which was saved by Preston shot stopper, Ross Dalton.
Preston’s Jack Ryan then powered himself above Town centre back Dominic Barrett, but sent his glancing header just wide.
Fleetwood got their noses in front in the 17th minute thanks to striker Aden Wainwright. A long ball forward from Kurt Willoughby found Wainwright, who beat his man and lobbed over keeper Dalton.
North End were restricted to half chances for most of the first period with both Joe Whittington and captain Tyler Forbes, seeing their long range strikes saved by Town goalkeeper Oliver Martin.
Jack Ryan was proving to be a handful in the air, and he rose highest on 30 minutes to head Nick Anderton’s cross wide of the mark.
Joe Whittington then had Preston’s best chance of the first half as he cut in from the right hand side and drove his effort agonizingly wide of Oliver Martin’s near post.
Two minutes before the break, Aden Wainwright nearly doubled Fleetwood’s advantage. A lovely passing move involving Danny Vile and Jordan Lazenbury found Jonny Conway on the right wing, and his delivery was met by Wainwright who headed just wide.
Just after the restart, Oliver Martin fumbled George Gray’s free kick and Joe Whittington was the quickest to react, but he sent his header over.
Some good hold up play by the Cod Army’s Aden Wainwright presented Jonny Conway with a good opportunity on the edge of the box, as his venomous strike was tipped away by Ross Dalton.
A minute later, Jack Ryan saw his shot hit the side netting, while Fleetwood were indebted to keeper Oliver Martin as he produced a fine fingertip save to deny Joe Whittington.
North End drew level in the 64th minute when the Cod Army’s Michael Muscat was adjudged to have felled captain Tyler Forbes in the box and the referee pointed to the spot after a lengthy discussion with his assistant.
Whittington stepped up to take and he dispatched his spot kick into the bottom left hand corner to get his side back on level terms.
Craig Madden’s side felt aggrieved at the decision, but continued to look for a way back in front. Kurt Willoughby missed a great chance as he found himself unmarked in the area, but only managed to head Jonny Conway’s cross into the ground and Ross Dalton gathered.
However, Fleetwood did indeed get their just rewards in the 71st minute and it was that man Wainwright with the goal.
The striker chested down on the edge of the box, took the ball under control before unleashing a strike which nestled into the bottom corner.
The Fleetwood back line were put under some intense pressure in the last few minutes, but central defenders Dominic Barrett and Michael Muscat kept the visitors at bay.
Joe Whittington once again tried an effort from distance, but he shot wide, while in the dying moments Town’s Jordan Lazenbury stung the palms of Ross Dalton with a long range piledriver.