So a post on the AVFTT message board which we thought might be worth exploring from 1953Original who simply asked 'Are Preston now ahead of us? '. Here's what he had to say: 'OK, clearly not in terms of league status but 10,302 there yesterday at Deepdale, well equipped for life in League One and only a matter of time before a promotion and there's no revulsion about their owner. Plus they have one player who has scored more goals than we have all year and arguably a better manager?'

With only a mundane England game to watch, little in the way of cheer from Bloomfield Road and a Saturday accumulator which took in League One and Two games, Preston came under the spotlight yesterday. Looking at the coupon they were a certain home banker. A fantastic record at Deepdale, in the promotion spots in League One and against a Bradford side who'd hardly been pulling up the trees. Of course anyone with half a brain would have lumped the money on the Bantams as there was always a potential shock on the cards with the odds stacked up so heavily against the visitors. Defeat saw North End drop to third but still in with a comfortable shout of automatic promotion and if not a failed 10th Play Off bid.

So, whilst Simon Grayson looks to get 'them lot from down the M55' up at the fourth attempt, are Blackpool still the superior Lancashire side? Well, after 8 League One games this season, PNE have an average of 10,690 in comparison to the Seasiders 10.961 (buoyed of course by some decent followings from visitors). Deepdale can house 23,404 seats whilst Bloomfield Road has a capacity of 17,338 (with one temporary stand). This season Joe Garner is on 11 goals by himself, whilst the whole Seasiders side have managed just 11 between them. Simon Grayson has enjoyed three promotions as a manager, Lee Clark hasn't seen any of his sides promoted. Owner Trevor Hemmings has ploughed millions in to North End, the less said about what the Oyston's have done at Blackpool the better.

However, at this moment in time, despite there being only two teams separating these two sides, the fact remains that Blackpool are still superior. Whilst Preston have to win promotion to get back to the Championship, Blackpool are here right now. Whilst things may not seem that way now, the Seasiders still have the bragging rights well in to 2015.

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