Cardiff leapt above promotion rivals Preston as the Championship's leading scorer Michael Chopra struck twice as he enjoyed top billing at Ninian Park.

The clash between the promotion hopefuls was billed as a battle between two of the division's finest forwards - Chopra and David Nugent - but after a promising start, concussion deprived the England Under-21 player of the chance to overshadow Chopra.

Visiting skipper Graham Alexander scored from the spot for Preston but Chopra's double and goals from Peter Whittingham and Roger Johnson sealed the points for the Bluebirds.

Both sides looked comfortable early on and after 10 minutes, Riccardo Scimeca's clever flicked pass wrong-footed both the Preston defence and intended target Steven Thompson.

Cardiff broke again two minutes later after a lazy chested backpass from Liam Chilvers put North End goalkeeper Andy Lonergan under pressure.

But Lonergan reacted swiftly, rushing out to meet the danger before firing the ball long into the Cardiff half.

Simon Whaley and Nugent both had chances for the Lilywhites but neither player could force David Forde into a serious save on his Football League debut.

Nugent then produced a fine volley to force a diving save from Forde after some neat link-up play between the England Under-21 international and partner Daniele Dichio.

Nugent's technique was superb but Forde, going down low to his left, repaid Bluebirds boss Dave Jones for his faith with a good stop.

The 21-year-old striker was soon nursing a bloody nose after a collision that would eventually see him withdrawn. That did not stop him troubling the hosts, though and he again caused problems when challenging Forde for a 31st minute free-kick.

Paul Parry looked like he might be able to carve out an opening for the home side soon afterwards but he waited a fraction too long and the Preston defence were able to rally.

A Chopra free-kick, closely followed by a Thompson header that would have gone in were it not for a slight deflection of Dichio, established Cardiff's dominance but it was Whittingham's tidy finish that broke the deadlock.

Preston immediately launched a counter-attack but despite some indecision in the Cardiff area, the hosts went in to the interval ahead.

Paul Simpson's side were dealt a blow when they were forced to re-emerge for the second period without Nugent, who went off with mild concussion. Former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor, still seeking his first goal for the Lilywhites after an injury-plagued season, was the beneficiary.

But it was Chopra, having an altogether more enjoyable campaign with 19 goals, who scored next.

After mistakes by Paul McKenna and Matt Hill, the former Newcastle striker broke into the area where he was felled by a sliding Liam Chilvers.

He tucked away the penalty but just a minute later Mellor earned a penalty for the away side.

Captain Alexander drilled the spot-kick beyond Forde to give his side a chance but within seconds they were two behind again.

Whittingham was the provider this time, curling a free-kick high into the danger area where it evaded everyone except Johnson, who headed home deftly at the far post.

Another two minutes had passed when the excitement continued as Chopra, proving his class with every touch, rattled the bar with a dipping free-kick.

Things got no better for Preston as Alexander let Whittingham squirm past him on the left flank before the midfielder squared the ball for Chopra eight yards out.

He lashed the ball beyond Lonergan to make the points safe and deal a heavy blow to Preston's Premiership ambitions.

Teams

Cardiff Forde, McNaughton, Loovens, Johnson, Ledley,Whittingham, McPhail, Parry, Scimeca, Thompson (Byrne 87),Chopra (Green 87).

Subs Not Used: Flood, Blake, Gunter.

Goals: Whittingham 44, Chopra 52 pen, Johnson 54, Chopra 67.

Preston Lonergan, Alexander, St. Ledger, Chilvers, Hill, Pugh,Whaley, McKenna, Pergl, Nugent (Mellor 46),Dichio (Agyemang 61).

Subs Not Used: Henderson, Sedgwick, Wilson.

Booked: Pergl, Chilvers.

Goals: Alexander 53 pen.

Att: 12,889

Ref: T M Kettle (Rutland).