Preston came from behind to beat Leicester 2-1 at the Walkers Stadium and guarantee their participation in the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs.

Victory propelled the Lilywhites 12 points clear of sixth-placed Wolves with only nine left to play for.

It was Leicester manager Rob Kelly, yesterday appointed on a one-year rolling contract after a two-and-a-half-month spell as caretaker, who barely had chance to take his seat on the bench before jumping to his feet again in celebration after Matty Fryatt's opener bulged the North End net with just nine seconds gone.

The club later confirmed it was the fastest goal ever scored by a Leicester player.

But Simon Whaley netted the equaliser from 25 yards out moments before half-time, before Jason Jarrett's second-half strike completed the comeback.

Fryatt had earlier kicked off to Joey Gudjonsson, the Icelander in turn finding Stephen Hughes in the right channel.

Possession was passed to Gareth Williams, whose through ball sprang the Preston offside trap for Fryatt to cut the ball back from right to left and score.

Preston's response came from Whaley, whose shot was blocked by Patrick Kisnorbo.

Then in the 18th minute, Alan Maybury cleared Whaley's header off the Leicester goal line.

But on the half-hour, Carlo Nash was at full stretch to deny Fryatt his second after the Foxes front man burst clear from midfield and then turned Youl Mawene inside out before his scudding shot was parried by the goalkeeper's right wrist.

Nash was on his mettle again to foil Gudjonsson before Whaley, in the 45th minute, turned and fired home low from 25 yardsafter being gifted time and space in a central position.

Preston took the lead with 49 minutes gone, making the most of a right-wing corner taken by Chris Sedgwick.

After the ball had been flicked on by Claude Davis, Jarrett was on hand to head home.

Then in the 65th minute, Brett Ormerod was fortunate to escape a red card after launching an apparent flying head-butt which left Gudjonsson prostrate.

The Foxes midfielder eventually recovered - and as referee Dermot Gallagher had patently not seen the incident, Ormerod escaped punishment. But before play restarted, the Oxfordshire official took Ormerod's name following the striker's comments aimed at Gudjonsson.

Just three minutes later, Ormerod was replaced by Danny Dichio.

The tactical switch appeared to only disrupt North End and coincided with an increase in Leicester possession.

But the hosts failed to generate a notable goalscoring opportunity until the 82nd minute when Momo Sylla headed over the bar from Andy Welsh's left-wing cross.

Preston were nevertheless required to survive a late goalmouth scramble.

Teams

Leicester Henderson, Maybury (O'Grady 78), Gerrbrand,Kisnorbo, Johansson, Hughes (Sylla 71), Gudjonsson, Williams,Welsh, Hume, Fryatt.

Subs Not Used: Douglas, Stearman, Brevett.

Goals: Fryatt 1.

Preston Nash, Mears, Mawene, Davis, Alexander,Sedgwick (Stock 81), McKenna, Jarrett,Agyemang (Lewis Neal 74), Whaley, Ormerod (Dichio 67).

Subs Not Used: Ward, Wilson.

Booked: Mears, Ormerod, Jarrett, Lewis Neal, Stock.

Goals: Whaley 45, Jarrett 49.

Att: 21,865

Ref: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).