FT: Preston 0 Newcastle 1

90 It's all over and Kevin Nolan's goal is enough to send Newcastle back to the top of the Championship tonight following their fourth victory on the bounce.

90 Gutierrez spurns a great chance to seal the victory when lofting his shot well over the bar following a superb pass from Lovenkrands.

90 There will be four minutes of stoppage time to play - will this be enough for Preston to find an equaliser?

90 Newcastle make their final change with Peter Lovenkrands coming on for Guthrie.

89 The hosts come down the right but only earn a throw-in rather than a corner for their efforts.

88 Preston keep pushing but Newcastle's defence is standing up to the challenge and repel the succession of crosses played into the box.

87 Tongue takes the free kick but the delivery is simply not good enough and Newcastle clear with ease.

86 Brown is fouled on the left wing by Kadar and Preston have a promising free kick.

85 A hopeful cross from the right looks for Chaplow but Newcastle get the ball clear.

84 Preston keep pressing but it's all a bit rushed on the ball and if Newcastle remain calm and composed they should hold out.

83 Tongue whips in a cross but Parkin can't get there and Harper makes the claim.

82 Ranger goes for goal from distance but it's a weak attempt that trickles into Lonergan's arms.

81 Preston are playing three up front now as they desperately search for an equaliser - will this leave more space for Newcastle to attack on the counter?

80 The hosts make another change with Sedgwick coming off to be replaced by Jon Parkin.

79 Preston keep probing but despite being presented with a glorious opportunity inside the box, Sedgwick drills a low shot wide of the post.

78 Eddie Nolan works his way down the left side of the area and is unlucky to see his firm drive saved by Harper, although Mellor was screaming for the pass.

77 Jones' cross on the right finds its way to Mellor inside the box but his shot is blocked and the chance is lost.

76 Harewood looks to retain possession on the right and Newcastle confidence is certainly shining through now they have the lead.

75 It really was a rare moment of quality in the match and now Newcastle would back themselves to hold on for a valuable three points.

74 GOAL NOLAN - Patient build-up play from Newcastle eventually finds its way to KEvin Nolan, who swivels superbly with his back to goal on the left side of the area before sending a low shot across Lonergan and into the net.

74 Now it's Preston who make another change with Eddie Nolan coming on to replace Davidson

72 It's hard to see a way for either side to break the deadlock due to that lack of genuine quality in the final third, but there's enough time for that to change.

71 Gutierrez embarks on a fantastic run down the left wing but he looks dejected when Ranger fails miserably to control his pass inside the box.

70 Ranger holds up the ball on the edge of the box with his back to goal, before turning and unleashing a powerful shot which just goes wide of the post.

69 Brown is back on the field with a bandage around his head, proving just how hard he's prepared to battle on.

68 While Brown receives treatment, Chris Hughton has a word with Smith to calm him down.

67 Brown goes down hurt after taking what is considered to be an accidental elbow by Smith to the back of the head. The referee warns the Newcastle player but nothing more.

66 Mellor bursts into the area as he chases a long ball and after overpowering Taylor he drills his shot wide of the post.

65 Newcastle make another change with Tamas Kadar coming on for Simpson.

64 Enrique whips in a cross from the left but it has just a little too much pace on it for Harewood to reach.

63 Guthrie delivers the ball into the box and it nearly breaks for Ranger before the Preston defence clear the danger.

62 Before it can be taken, the visitors make a change with Carroll leaving the field to be replaced by Nile Ranger.

61 Newcastle win a free kick on the right and may opt to send it long into the box.

60 Sedgwick battles hard down the right wing and after muscling his way past Jose Enrique, he earns a corner when his cross is deflected behind by Coloccini.

59 Gutierrez cuts inside from the left but his powerful shot flashes wide of the far post.

58 Newcastle are enjoying a decent spell of possession as they look to finally break the deadlock.

57 Preston are back on the front foot now but Newcastle look solid at the back and the hosts are unable to carve out an opportunity.

56 The delivery is a good one and a stretching Sedgwick is able to play it back to his goalkeeper Lonergan but the referee deemed it unintentional and not a back pass.

55 Danny Simpson whips a tempting cross into the box but Chilvers is there first to head the ball behind for a corner.

54 Parry tries his luck from distance but the ball skids safely into the arms of Harper.

53 Preston are awarded a free kick around 25 yards from goal when Mellor is fouled by Smith.

52 The initial cross is cleared away but only as far as Jose Enrique, who sees his fierce effort deflected just wide of the post.

51 Now it's Newcastle who have a corner after Chilvers' safety first approach sees the defender put the ball behind.

50 The hosts keep pressing and Newcastle have to be alert to clear another dangerous cross into the box from the left.

50 Preston come forward with intent down the left and win a corner, although the resulting cross is cleared away.

49 A high floated cross puts pressure on Lonergan but the Preston goalkeeper makes a confident claim with Carroll lurking.

48 Carroll fires a powerful shot at goal from the left edge of the area, but the ball can only find the side netting.

47 Gutierrez gets down the left wing but his cross is pretty poor and Preston clear their lines.

46 The second half gets under way at Deepdale. Preston made a change at the break with Mawene being replaced by Liam Chilvers.

Preston are now 14/5 with Sky Bet to pick up all three points from tonight's clash while the draw is 13/10 and the Newcastle win available at 7/5. Mellor looked pretty sharp up front for the hosts and he can be backed at 8/1 to score first.

45 The half-time whistle sounds and Preston will feel confident they can go on to win this game having finished the stronger side in the opening 45 minutes.

45 Lonergan clatters into Mawene as they both charge to the same ball while under pressure from Harewood. The defender stays down and looks hurt while the goalkeeper managed to clear the danger.

44 It's all Preston right now as we edge closer to the break but there will only be one minute of added time to find a goal.

43 Mellor shoots from a difficult angle on the left side of the box but Harper is able to make a confident save.

42 Chaplow pounces on a loose ball in midfield and drills a fizzing shot over the bar from around 25 yards out.

41 Out on the right wing Sedgwick sends in a low cross towards the near post but Mellor rifles a first-time effort wide.

40 A dangerous cross into the box from the left by Callum Davidson is headed away Jose Enrique but the threat isn't over yet.

39 Parry whips the ball into the box but Newcastle are able to clear their lines.

38 The hosts raid forward on the right wing and Newcastle have little option but to put the resulting cross behind for a corner.

37 Preston boss Alan Irvine will be impressed with how well his side have battled so far but he'll demand better quality going forward.

36 Brown controls the ball well on his chest but his shot is comfortably saved by Harper.

35 Smith now comes forward for Newcastle but screws a long range effort well wide of the post.

34 Preston link up well and a cross from Sedgwick on the right finds Parry, who loops a header onto the roof of the net.

32 The quality of passing tonight is pretty desperate but there's no shortage of desire to compete from both sides. It's certainly a physical battle on show.

31 Preston come forward again down the right but after a cross is played into the box, Parry is unable to turn a difficult volley into the net.

30 Parry takes the set-piece but his delivery is woeful and the ball sails out of play on the other side of the pitch.

29 Fabricio Coloccini concedes a corner after hesitant defending although he feels he was pushed in the back.

28 Newcastle work the ball forward well with a succession of crisp passes but embarrassing footwork from Gutierrez inside the box sees him take it out of play.

27 Chaplow is penalised for a foul on Guthrie in midfield and Newcastle use the free kick to keep possession.

26 A deep cross from the left finds its way to Nolan, but his powerful volley is blocked inside the box.

25 Danny Guthrie curls the ball into the box from the right and although Lonergan comes and misses it, he's relieved to see the offside flag raised against Carroll, who headed over anyway.

24 Newcastle win a free kick on the left wing after Billy Jones fouls Carroll and this could be dangerous.

23 Preston's Mellor tires his luck from distance but the Newcastle fans jeer as the ball flies high over the bar.

22 It's rather scrappy on the field of play with neither side putting together a string of passes. The blustery conditions are hardly helping matters.

21 Preston are growing in confidence after that shaky start and Newcastle better be on their toes at the back.

20 Chris Brown does well down the right to beat his man but in the end his pass is cut out and Newcastle can clear.

19 It's turning into a fiery encounter at Deepdale and both sets of supporters are creating a vociferous atmosphere tonight.

18 Mellor sneaks down the right side of the area and finds the space to shoot but his powerful drive from a tight angle is saved at his post by Steve Harper.

17 Smith is shown the yellow card after an aerial foul on Sedgwick in midfield. He can have few complaints.

16 After the initial corner is cleared, the ball breaks for Michael Tongue, who unleashes a swirling shot which just goes over the bar.

15 At the other end Preston's Richard Chaplow goes for goal and his low effort is deflected just wide of the post.

14 Nolan shoots from just outside the box but it's pretty tame and bends into the arms of Andy Lonergan.

13 Sedgwick looks to battle past Sanchez Jose Enrique on the right wing but his resulting cross drifts behind for a goal kick.

12 Gutierrez cuts inside from the left before chipping a delicate pass into the area for Andy Carroll, who is flagged offside.

11 Once again it's Sedgwick who heads clear and Preston survive for now.

10 Gutierrez is seeing lots of the ball down the left and he manages to win another corner for Newcastle.

9 Newcastle are looking the most dangerous side in these early stages but Preston have proved they can be a threat on the counter.

8 Alan Smith tries to carve out an opportunity in which to shoot just outside the box but his effort is blocked.

7 Newcastle float a long ball into the box which Youl Mawene completely misjudges - but the defender is lucky to see Marlon Harewood unable to make a connection.

6 The hosts break forward on the counter attack with Paul Parry bursting through midfield but in the end the move breaks down and Newcastle have a goal kick.

5 The ball is delivered into the box but Chris Sedgwick heads firmly away at the near post.

4 Newcastle win a corner after Jonas Gutierrez races forward down the left before seeing his cross deflected behind.

3 Preston have a weak appeal for a penalty turned down when Neil Mellor goes to ground inside the box.

2 Newcastle have an early opportunity at the far post following a cross on the left but Steven Taylor's header goes wide.

1 Preston get us under way at Deepdale in tonight's Championship clash looking to cause a shock against the high-flying Magpies.

Sky Bet are reporting that money pouring in for Newcastle, who have shortened to 11/10 from 5/4.The Lillywhites are friendless and punters cant see past an away day success for Chris Hughton's boys. A Preston win is 9/4 while the draw is available at 12/5. Head now to skybet.com to place your bets.

Preston boss Alan Irvine hands a debut to Stoke midfielder Michael Tonge after the 26-year-old arrived on loan until December 28th following a lack of opportunities in the Potteries. Newcastle's new signing Fabrice Pancrate has received clearance having penned a deal over the weekend after a successful two-week trial and is named on the bench. Jonas Gutierrez is fit after pulling out of Argentina's squad due to a thigh problem sustained in the 3-1 win over Peterborough last time out. Meanwhile Andy Carroll has been brought into the starting line-up alongside Marlon Harewood. Tonight's referee is Scott Mathieson from Cheshire.

The Preston team is Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, Collins, Davidson, Sedgwick, Chaplow, Tonge, Parry, Brown, Mellor. Subs: Henderson, Shumulikoski, Carter, Chilvers, Parkin, Nolan, Elliott.

The Newcastle team is Harper, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Guthrie, Smith, Nolan, Gutierrez, Harewood, Carroll. Subs: Krul, Lovenkrands, Geremi, Pancrate, Kadar, Ranger, Donaldson.

Welcome to tonight's commentary from Deepdale where Preston host a Newcastle side who will return to the top of the Championship with a victory. The Magpies have won three successive games and look set to make an immediate return to the Premier League although Preston will be out to reignite their season and boost their play-off hopes following a disappointing recent run.