Rejuvenated Nolan blasts Toon to top

KEVIN NOLAN claimed a typically predatory 74th-minute winner to fire Newcastle back to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship last night.

The former Bolton skipper moved the Magpies two points clear of West Brom with a clinical low left-footed drive – his ninth goal of the season.

Nolan endured a nightmare campaign last season after joining Newcastle in January and becoming part of the side that slid out of the Barclays Premier League in such dismal fashion.

Yet he is doing his best to ensure the Tyneside outfit make an immediate return to the promised land by recapturing his goalscoring form and drive.

Alan Smith, another player who looks back to his best, played a pivotal role alongside Nolan in the middle of the park. The Magpies skipper showed his stomach for the fight remains firmly intact with a fine display.

Defeat was on harsh on Preston, but they lacked the kind of killer finish Nolan provided. With 16 minutes left, Marlon Harewood showed strength to find Nolan lurking on the left corner of the penalty box. He showed delightful skill to strike a low, left-footed shot into the bottom corner and send Newcastle top of the Championship.

PRESTON: Lonergan, Jones, Mawene (Chilvers 46), Collins, Davidson (Nolan 74), Sedgwick (Parkin 80), Chaplow, Tonge, Parry, Brown, Mellor.

NEWCASTLE: Harper, Simpson (Kadar 65), Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Guthrie (Lovenkrands 90), Smith, Nolan, Gutierrez, Harewood, Carroll (Ranger 62).

Referee: S Mathieson (Cheshire).