PNE in Numbers: Daniel Johnson knows all about penalty milestones

The Jamaican, the scorer of the match-winning spot kick in the opening day 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, is also no stranger to reaching a landmark when the pressure is on.

Last season’s successful conversion in the 3-2 win over Blackburn Rovers in December made him the 100th PNE player to score a penalty in the club’s storied history.

Memorably, it was celebrated by the Jamaican shoving a ball up his shirt having found out he and his partner were expecting their first child.

A baby girl, with good mate Callum Robinson the godfather, has since arrived.

There were more milestones to come after the 79th-minute winner against Wednesday, Johnson stepping up after Jordan Hugill had been felled by a reckless challenge from Owls defender Tom Lees.

Sending Keiren Westwood the wrong way in front of the Town End not only capped off a fine first game in charge for Alex Neil but also took Preston to 450 successful spot kicks in all competitions and 400 in the Football League.

His stuttering run-up isn’t to everyone’s tastes and does leave a few hearts in mouths, but having also dispatched one in the final friendly against Fleetwood Town, Johnson is without doubt the main man from 12 yards at the moment.

Jordan Hugill missed one in the dour 0-0 draw at Wigan last season having previously scored against Crewe Alexandra in the League Cup.

Other candidates in the squad include set piece specialist Paul Gallagher who has scored three in PNE colours but famously sent one high into the stands in an FA Cup tie at Shrewsbury back in 2014.

In the same year Callum Robinson completed his FA Cup hat-trick at Havant and Waterlooville with a penalty but none compare to North End’s greats from the spot.

Graham Alexander netted 52 and Sir Tom Finney 39.

DJ may have the job right now but he’s some way from matching the all-time greats.