Goal of the day: Joe Garner (Preston) vs Rotherham
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Joe Garner scored what must be one of the greatest goals in play-off history to earn Preston North End a 1-1 home draw with Rotherham United in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final.
However, Preston hit back through Garner's incredible strike four minutes into the second period.
There looked little danger when Tom Clarke played a delicate ball over the top towards the 26-year-old striker.
Controlling the ball on his chest around 25 yards from goal, Garner then flicked the ball over Rotherham defender Kári Árnason.
Without letting the ball bounce, Garner showed sublime technique to dispatch a sumptuous volley that Rotherham goalkeeper Adam Collin had no chance of stopping.
"It has taken the goal of the century to break us," Rotherham manager Steve Evans said after the game.
"If there is a better goal in the play-offs this year then I'll wake up a chicken."
Preston boss Simon Grayson added: "The way he controlled it, flicked it over the lad and hit it first time - the keeper didn't have a chance.
"It was worthy of winning any game, never mind getting you back into the tie.
“You can’t ask any more from Joe. He has worked hard all season, got the goals, won the player of the year and it was nice moment to see the ball in the back of the net, which got us going second half."
However, Preston hit back through Garner's incredible strike four minutes into the second period.
There looked little danger when Tom Clarke played a delicate ball over the top towards the 26-year-old striker.
Controlling the ball on his chest around 25 yards from goal, Garner then flicked the ball over Rotherham defender Kári Árnason.
Without letting the ball bounce, Garner showed sublime technique to dispatch a sumptuous volley that Rotherham goalkeeper Adam Collin had no chance of stopping.
"It has taken the goal of the century to break us," Rotherham manager Steve Evans said after the game.
"If there is a better goal in the play-offs this year then I'll wake up a chicken."
Preston boss Simon Grayson added: "The way he controlled it, flicked it over the lad and hit it first time - the keeper didn't have a chance.
"It was worthy of winning any game, never mind getting you back into the tie.
“You can’t ask any more from Joe. He has worked hard all season, got the goals, won the player of the year and it was nice moment to see the ball in the back of the net, which got us going second half."
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