How the Irish fared: Daryl Horgan stars as Preston knock Brighton off their perch

Daryl Horgan’s first start for Preston proved a memorable one, the former Dundalk star creating the second goal and nearly scoring a third as North End beat Chris Hughton’s Brighton 2-0 in Saturday’s Championship clash at Deepdale.

Horgan made his Preston debut as a late substitute in the FA Cup third round defeat to Arsenal eight days ago and his impressive 10 minute cameo persuaded manager Simon Grayson to throw the 24-year-old in from the start against a team that began the weekend leading the Championship.

And Horgan didn’t let Grayson down, delivering a stellar display in front of the watching Roy Keane before being replaced in stoppage time.