Jon Parkin scored the only goal at Deepdale as promotion hopefuls Preston beat Norwich 1-0.
One goal enough to dispatch Norwich
Preston moved up to fourth in the Championship after a 1-0 victory over relegation strugglers Norwich.
The Canaries impressed in the first half at Deepdale but failed to test North End goalkeeper Andy Lonergan after the break.
Lonergan was outstanding in the 0-0 draw at Reading last weekend and was again in top form to deny midfielders Lee Croft and Mark Fotheringham early on as the hosts ground out a win.
The home side did start brightly and centre-back Sean St Ledger had the first chance in the fourth minute.
He went forward for a corner and when the ball was not cleared, Richard Chaplow whipped in a second cross which St Ledger powerfully headed towards goal but Norwich goalkeeper David Marshall comfortably held onto.
Bryan Gunn's side then began to dictate the play and only a top-drawer stop from Lonergan denied Croft.
Good Saves
A flowing move ended with Carl Cort teeing up Croft on the edge of the area and his swirling drive was destined for the far corner until Lonergan diverted it wide.
Alan Gow took the resulting corner and Jason Shackell flicked the ball on at the near post but the ball flew through a pack of bodies and sailed just wide.
Fotheringham then robbed Chaplow in the middle of the pitch and after running 30 yards unchallenged smashed in an effort from 20 yards which was again well kept out by Lonergan.
But Parkin came to life with five minutes of the half remaining.
A long ball forward was well controlled by the burly striker and after rolling Shackell he curled a shot against the post from just inside the area.
In the 41st minute Paul McKenna's corner came to Parkin at the back post and, after controlling the ball, the former Stoke man drove in a low shot which went in off the inside of the same post.
Chaplow came close to doubling the lead in the opening seconds of the second period.
Pressure
He mis-hit his shot and the bounce nearly deceived Marshall but the goalkeeper reacted well to palm the ball to safety.
Wesley Hoolahan then picked out Cort with a perfect cross from the left but the former Newcastle man could not guide his effort on target.
Norwich piled forward in search of an equaliser and Hoolahan should have done better when he was presented with the chance to lob into an empty net after Lonergan had punched clear. However, he could only loft the ball into the stands.
Gary Doherty then sparked a melee in the six-yard box when his header down was doggedly kept out by a combination of St Ledger and Lonergan, and when the ball was cleared Parkin was hauled down by Shackell who was booked.
Preston held on for the win which leaves Norwich just two points clear of the drop zone.
