North End into the playoff zone
2-0 
North End rose to 6th place in the Championship after a comfortable victory over Bristol City. The match was just about playable after the thick fog covered Deepdale. The match got the go ahead from the referee, playing under the Sky Sports cameras for the first time this season.
Preston was under the cosh in the first ten minutes, Andrew Lonergan in the Preston goal was being put under real pressure. Lonergan pulled off a string of excellent saves to keep the visitors at bay. Preston had their own chances, from what the crowd could see, the Bill Shakley Kop was just about visable from the Allan Kelly Townend.
Alan Irvine was forced to make a change early on after Neil Mellor went crashing into the advertising hoardings chasing a ball down. Stephen Elliott got thet nod ahead of John Parkin. North End finally started to get a hold of the game, passing the ball well in difficult conditions.
It was Preston who took the lead after half an hour, Ross Walalce was played in on the left after some good work by Chris Sedgewick. The ever impressive Wallace driller the ball accross teh box for Stephen Elliott to fire the ball home past Basso in the City goal.
The first half ended 1-0 to Preston, no futher changes was made for North End. Brisol City brought on former PNE youth team player Lee Trundle. North End started to dominate the second half, creating an array of chances. Chris Sedgwick had to efforts on goal, both ballooned over the bar.
Ross Wallace gave Preston a 2-0 lead, Wallace cut inside from a short free kick to smash the ball home via a deflection. Preston could have wrapped the game up when Elliott's header trickled accross the box and somewho didn't go in. John Parkin replaced Chris Brown with ten minutes to go. The big striker was played in by Richard Chaplow, the beat failed to score as he toe poked the ball over from eight yards.
Preston rode the match out, finishing 2-0 winners. Revenge over last season when then Championship newcomers beat Preston 3-0. Irvine's men rise up to 6th in the league, two points clear of Cardiff in 7th.
PNEfans.net man of the match - Ross Wallace
Preston: Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, St. Ledger, Davidson, Sedgwick (Nicholson 74), Chaplow, McKenna, Wallace, Chris Brown (Parkin 82), Mellor (Elliott 24).
Subs Not Used: Neal, Nolan.
Booked: Wallace.
Goals: Elliott 30, Wallace 55.
Bristol City: Basso, Brian Wilson, McCombe, Carey, McAllister (Fontaine 79), Noble (Sproule 54), Elliott, Johnson, McIndoe, Adebola (Trundle 49), Maynard.
Subs Not Used: Henderson, Williams.
Booked: Maynard.
Att: 11,161
Ref: Richard Beeby (Northamptonshire).