PRESTON NORTH END 2 CITY 3
Testimonial for Alan Spavin
15th November 1971
attendance 14,000
Scorers
City Lee(28), Doyle(29), Bruce(73 og)
Preston Book(23 og), McIlmoyle(89)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
Manchester City provided superb entertainment for 14,000 Preston fans in the Testimonial match for North End skipper Alan Spavin at Deepdale, playing exhibition football The Blues won 3-2 in a match that marked another comeback for David Connor, the plucky little defender who has twice been hit by damaged ankle ligaments this season.
Left back Connor, who had been having one of his best ever seasons before the double injury blows, came through the test confidently and could soon be challenging for a first team place once again.
A Tony Book own goal from an Alex Spark cross gave Preston the lead, before Francis Lee and Mike Doyle shot City ahead in a thrilling sprint.
With Neil Young, Derek Jeffries, Tony Towers and Ronnie Healey taking over for the second half, City went further ahead shen Alex Bruce put a Lee cross through his own goal, and then Hugh McIlmoyle scored a second for Preston with a fine header.
Peter Gardner writing for The Manchester Evening News 16th November 1971