Devine nets double as Preston ends losing streak
Alfie Devine netted a brace to earn Preston North End a 3-1 comeback win over Stoke City and keep its slim EFL Championship play-off hopes alive.
Stoke had taken an early lead through Sorba Thomas, but could not hold on to it, with a quickfire second-half double from Preston, which ended a four-match losing streak, putting the game out of reach.
It took Thomas just four minutes to break the deadlock as he met Junior Tchamadeu's floated cross with a first-time finish, with the bounce beating Daniel Iverson.
Devine then finished off a stunning counter-attack to restore parity 11 minutes later. After intercepting a Stoke long-throw, Devine ran half the length of the pitch before sending a composed finish past Tommy Simkin, who got a touch but could not keep it out.
Preston began the second half on top, with Lewis Dobbin curling wide, but he soon turned provider, whipping a cross into the near post where Milutin Osmajic glanced his header in after 57 minutes.
On the hour, Devine got his second, collecting Osmajic's slotted pass to chip a wonderful finish over Simkin and into the back of the net.
Stoke almost pulled one back late on, but while Jesurun Rak-Sakyi's looping shot was spilled by Iverson, the visitors could not profit, allowing Preston to move within six points of the play-off places.
