report v Preston N.E. 12/09/00

SOME substitutions work quite well, others make things worse, most don't make an awful lot of difference but, now and then, one really hits the jackpot.

Last night, Birmingham City manager Trevor Francis hit a half-time jackpot.

Against a bright and purposeful Preston North End side, Blues had stumbled to a 1-0 interval deficit.

Francis then introduced Andrew Johnson into his attack and watched him galvanise a hitherto flagging Blues unit.

A tatty deficit was transformed into an uplifting victory which hoisted Birmingham into fourth place in the First Division table.

Johnson's rapacious presence around the Preston box turned the game on its head after Blues had trailed to a 35th-minute Mark Rankine goal.

That supplied the visitors with a deserved advantage as Blues found themselves harassed and second-best through the opening 45 minutes.

Enter Johnson. First he created the equaliser for Peter Ndlovu.

Next, he was there to head Blues in front when Martin Grainger's thunderous free-kick forced an error from goalkeeper David Lucas.

Finally, the youngster's speed earned the penalty which Martin O'Connor converted to seal the points. Three goals in 18 minutes of Johnson magic.

Francis said: "The substitution changed the game. In the first half, some of our players didn't seem to relish the battle - a point that was made to them quite forcibly at half-time.

"Preston are a good, well-organised side who will do well this season and we needed to ask them some different questions in the second half.

"Andrew Johnson provided those questions. His movement was excellent and he changed the shape of their defence.

"He scored a goal and won us a penalty, but I think his most important contribution was his tackle on the defender which led to Ndlovu's goal.

"That got us back in the game.

"The second half was magnificent - a superb team performance."

True, and Francis's dissatisfaction with the first 45 minutes was equally valid. Preston were quicker and stronger, although Blues were handicapped on the half-hour when Michael Johnson limped off.

While substitute Darren Purse was still settling, Preston sensed a chance to seize the initiative and did so in style.

Lee Cartwright's cross was untidily defended and the ball rolled to former Wolverhampton Wanderer Rankine who, 12 yards out, stroked a measured finish past Ian Bennett.

As Blues sought a pre-interval strike back, Marcelo sent a 43rd-minute header just wide. It proved the Brazilian's last contribution.

During half-time, Warwickshire fast bowler Allan Donald was presented to the St Andrew's crowd but, unable to bring Donald on from the Tilton Road End, Francis chose to introduce Johnson and Steve Robinson for Marcelo and Jacques Williams.

More aggression and speed were needed against a Preston side with plenty of both.

Johnson soon stamped his authority on the visitors' defence, curling in a dangerous cross from the left which Ndlovu headed just over the bar.

The substitute's input had only just begun. In the 58th minute, he provided the touch of guile that Blues had lacked.

His tackle and control on the edge of Preston's box was followed by an angled pass which created space for Ndlovu to curl a precise shot in off the far post.

Seven minutes later, Grainger surprised Lucas with a fierce free-kick and the goalkeeper could only parry the ball upwards.

Johnson gleefully nodded it into the net from two yards.

When Johnson's next sprint forward drew a needless foul from Graham Alexander just inside the corner of the penalty area, O'Connor slotted his second penalty in four days.

Said turnaround was complete and Blues cruised to their fifth 3-1 victory in their last ten league tussles with Preston at St Andrew's.

Ndlovu - 58	Rankin - 35
A. Johnson - 65
O'Connor - 76