Fortress Glanford Park

"It's a brand new combination and we're scoring goals again," said Adkins, after watching his side record a third consecutive home win in the Championship.

"You look at the amount of opportunities Paterson gets, a lot of the contribution comes in from Hayes - it's about a double act.

"Hayes does a great contribution for the team, and Paterson was a thorn in Preston's side. It wasn't his day on Saturday (2-0 loss at Barnsley), but it was his night."

Outside of North Lincolnshire, everyone expected the Iron to flounder on their return to Championship-level football for the first time in 43 years.

But not Adkins, whose side are among the play-off places rather than the relegation zone

"It was a super game, high tempo, loads of goal-mouth action and thoroughly enjoyable" added Adkins.

"It is really 'Fortress Glanford Park', we're on 10 points now after six games. It's a fantastic start for us.

"On any one given day, anybody can beat anybody. And that's what our philosophy is - to try to overachieve and maximise everyone's performance."

Preston manager Paul Simpson complained about his side's defending, but felt the Lilywhites deserved a point from the game.

"It's disappointing the way we conceded both goals, but I think there was a lot of good football and a lot of opportunities we can take heart from," he said.

"But we know we've got to be more ruthless if we want to have half a chance of winning games.

"Even when we went down to 10 men we passed the ball well, we had good opportunities that could have got us at least a point."