Football League Championship Play-Offs Semi-Final 1st Leg

Preston North End 1 (St Ledger 21)
Sheffield 1 (Howard 46)


By Mark Jackson
SHEFFIELD, UK. May 09, 2009 -- Brian Howard is sure to be considered the hero of this Championship play off encounter, for his vital equaliser alone. But look outside the box.

This time round it was not a player’s piece of individual brilliance or the importance of a goal, but the canny eye of an official.

In a week where a Champions League linesman couldn’t spot the most blatant of handballs (Gerard Pique v Chelsea) – as if you needed reminding, Mr Darren Cann showed that a linesman’s role is more than just spotting an offside.

After a Preston freekick was floated towards the Sheffield United penalty area, the ball diverted to the feet of Sean St Ledger, who looked seemingly in an offside position.

Nevertheless, the centre-back, who’s vital goal clinched Preston the final playoff spot, showed the composure of a seasoned striker to slot past Paddy Kenny in the Blades goal.

Even St Ledger was subdued in his celebration, his reaction said it all. He thought he was offside, and he was. Yet as the replay unveiled, it revealed that the touch came off Sheffield United’s Nick Montgomery, resulting in St.Ledger being onside.

All those complaints by grumbling away fans behind the goal would be silenced once they saw the replay. A great decision.

However, credit to the United players who didn’t whinge and whine, or go hounding the officials down, like Michael Ballack in midweek, instead they responded in the right manner. The Blades were assured and astute in their passing. Probing at every occasion and dominating at Deepdale, a real fortress, the ground that boasts the paramount home record in the Championship.

Yet for Preston’s diligent defending, they imploded within fifteen seconds of the restart. North End failed to deal with Darius Henderson in the air, the ball squirmed to Greg Halford and after Andy Lonergan smothered his attempt, Howard arrived on cue to rifle in the equaliser.

However, where there is a hero, Mr Cann, there is notoriously a villain. And in this case it was Craig Beattie. The Blades substitute could of snatched the limelight.

Firstly he was played through by Howard’s pinpoint pass and managed to blaze over from eight yards. He frantically appealed for a penalty after a slight tug by Youl Mawene, but it was more out of sheer desperation after he realised his blunder.

Yet the Scot cannot be excused for his next gaff. After bearing down on Preston’s goal, he was foiled by Lonergan. Yet fellow replacement Arturo Lupoli had a simple tap-in, if Beattie had squared the simplest of balls.

The little Italian went berserk and rightly so. Beattie’s sheepish reaction told the story. This tie remains delicately poised, possibly edging in United’s favour with home advantage.

This game should not be remembered for Howard’s quickfire equaliser after the restart or Beattie’s glaring misses, but for a magnificent decision from a linesman.

In an era where officials are ridiculed and bombarded with abuse, this was a display that needs to be highlighted and applauded.

Well done Mr Cann.