Beckford hails strike partnership

All of North End’s last 11 goals have been scored by either Beckford or League One’s top scorer Garner and the two will be expected to be in tandem again when they play in the play-off final at Wembley a week on Sunday.
Both were on the scoresheet when the Lilywhites saw off Chesterfield in the semi-final second leg at Deepdale to book that all-or-nothing clash, with Garner taking his tally to 27 for the term and Beckford adding goals 11 and 12 in the 17 games since he came back from a mid-season ear infection.
And Beckford, currently on loan from Bolton, insists that while both players are keen to swell their own statistics, they take just as much joy in seeing the other find the net.
“We are both very happy for the other to score,” he said.
“And that adds to an even better strike partnership. I’ve got 15 goals and Joe’s got 20-odd goals, that speaks for itself.
“I’m very, very happy that I’m able to play for someone who is as goal-hungry as I am but as selfless as I am – that adds to the entertainment and excitement.”
There may be one discussion which sparks a competitive rivalry, though.
Beckford’s brilliant 45-yard lob against Chesterfield on Sunday came exactly one year on from Garner’s exquisite volley against Rotherham at the same end.
In Beckford’s mind, there is no doubt whose strike was better.
“They were both unbelievable in their own rights – I’m always going to go for my own, though, aren’t I,” he laughed.
“You can’t help but look back on (Garner’s goal). It was a fantastic goal as well, it won all of the awards that it deserved to win because of what it was. Hopefully he does it again in a couple of weeks, that would be good!”