FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD MELLOR; CHAMPIONSHIP.

PRESTON 2 PETERBORO 0

PRESTON defender Billy Jones has backed Neil Mellor to fire North End to promotion.

The former Liverpool hitman has started the season with a bang, grabbing three goals in his last three appearances.

And after seeing the striker put Peterborough to the sword with a goal and an assist, Jones is convinced the ex-Anfield starlet is the man to lead North End to the Premier League.

Jones said: "I think he can be our 20-goals-a-season man. He's prolific even in training and I believe if we give him the chances, he'll score more often than not.

"Mells is on fire and when he's in one-on-one, you expect him to score because he's a top finisher."

Thanks to Mellor, North End had the points sewn up inside half an hour.

After pouncing to score from six yards in the eighth minute, Mellor then laid on a second for Jones with a glorious defence-splitting pass.

That completed a routine victory for North End but their afternoon was marred by a serious injury to Barry Nicholson.

The Scot broke his leg in a challenge with Posh's George Boyd and, to add insult to injury, referee David Webb, who was taking charge of his first game at this level, booked the midfielder as he left on a stretcher.

North End boss Alan Irvine fumed: "I thought the ref could have shown more compassion."

This defeat means newlypromoted Posh have made their worst start to a season in 37 years and manager Darren Ferguson knows they need to improve quickly.

Fergie said: "We are not used to losing games. It's an unusual feeling but it's something we have to deal with. We just need a little break from somewhere."

CAPTION(S):

IN FORM Neil Mellor