Goals from David Nugent and Richard Creswell put Preston in pole position for the play-off semi-final second leg at Derby, taking the first leg 2-0 at Deepdale this afternoon.
Billy Davies' North End totally dominated the opening period and, after Cresswell had missed a couple of chances, Nugent put the hosts ahead in the closing stages of the first half.
The former Bury striker chased down a Cresswell flick-on into space, and broke past two defenders, before clipping the ball over the onrushing Camp to score his ninth North End goal since his £100,000 move in January.
Following an abject performance in the opening period, the Rams were much better after the break but the better chances still fell to North End and they came up with a fortunate second goal in the final minute.
Mo Konjic, attempting to head clear a cross, instead headed the ball down into the turf and it bounced off Creswell's boot and past Derby keeper Lee Camp, taking North End a massive step closer to the play-off final.
