Darren Carter's unstoppable last-minute shot gave Preston a crucial 1-0 victory over Coca-Cola Championship relegation rivals Leicester at the Walkers Stadium.

Carter collected a loose ball 25 yards out and unleashed a thunderbolt of a shot that flew past Paul Henderson and into the top corner.

It was the undoubted highlight of a turgid encounter and gave North End their first away win since December.

A crowd of just 19,264, the lowest of the season, watched, and impartial observers would have found it easy to understand why both teams are fighting for their lives at the wrong end of the table.

It was attritional for long periods as both sides adopted an over-cautious approach, too afraid to make the mistake that would hand their opponents a huge fillip in their bid for survival.

A lack of quality in the final third of the pitch also played a significant part.

Craig Beattie almost made a dream debut for Preston by scoring after just 32 seconds.

Loan signing Beattie was thrown straight into the Lillywhites' starting line-up after joining Alan Irvine's side for the remainder of the season from West Brom earlier in the day.

He was presented with an immediate opportunity to endear himself to North End supporters when he was one on one with Paul Henderson, but the Leicester goalkeeper rushed out quickly to block as Beattie tried to lift the ball over him.

It was the only save that either keeper had to make in a dire encounter.

Leicester's only chance came 10 minutes before the break following a piece of flowing football which was totally out of keeping with the rest of the game.

DJ Campbell led a swift counter-attack before captain Stephen Clemence spread the ball wide to Iain Hume.

The Canadian's low, near post cross was intercepted by Simon Whaley at the expense of a corner with Leicester players arriving in the six-yard box.

Beattie's debut lasted just 38 minutes after he was replaced by Neil Mellor.

Patrick Kisnorbo blazed a shot over the crossbar from the edge of the area midway through the second half.

Leicester twice had the ball in the net through substitute Matty Fryatt either side of the 80-minute mark, but both efforts were ruled out for offside.

Carter's late goal won it for Preston but that was not the end of the drama in the dying minutes.

Leicester had the ball in the net for a third time, this time through Richard Stearman following an injury-time corner, but that was also ruled out.

Teams:

Leicester Henderson, Stearman, N'Gotty, Kisnorbo, Clapham, Hume, Oakley, Clemence (Mattock 59), Hendrie, Campbell (Fryatt 71), Howard (Hayles 71).

Subs Not Used: James Chambers, McAuley.

Preston Lonergan, St. Ledger, Mawene, Chilvers, Hill, Sedgwick, McKenna, Carter, Whaley (Lewis Neal 77), Brown, Beattie (Mellor 38).

Subs Not Used: Chris Neal, Hawley, Jones.

Booked: Hill, St. Ledger.

Goals: Carter 90.

Att: 19,264

Ref: Roger East (Wiltshire).