Preston cruised to victory against Barnsley at Oakwell to stay firmly on course for the play-offs.

Barnsley made the brighter start with Alex Neil and Carl Barrowclough testing Preston keeper David Lucas.

Darren Barnard then fired in a free-kick which just cleared the bar.

But Preston opened the scoring on 14 minutes. The corner from the right was flicked on at the near post and Jon Macken stabbed the ball home after Ryan Kidd saw his effort blocked by keeper Kevin Miller.

Barnsley tried to get back on level terms with Barrowclough seeing his shot saved and Chris Morgan having a header cleared off the line.

Debutant striker Rory Fallon also had a header well saved by Lucas who tipped the ball over.

Iain Anderson increased Preston's lead in the 38th minute. Macken's low cross from the right evaded everyone and Anderson, arriving at the far post, hammered the ball past Miller.

Neil Shipperley almost pulled a goal back for the home side straight afterwards. But his long-range effort was kept out by Lucas.

Preston went further ahead on 57 minutes with a goal from Paul McKenna.

Macken flicked on to McKenna who was in space on the right hand side of the area and he fired into the bottom right hand corner of Miller's net.

In a rare Barnsley attack, Sean Gregan threatened to score an own goal. The defender diverted the ball goalwards but Lucas was alert to the danger and made a save.

Substitute Richard Cresswell completed the scoring in the 70th minute. Graham Alexander put over a free-kick from the right which was met by a firm header from Cresswell, Miller only helping the ball into the net.

Preston were seemingly content to sit on their lead and soak up any pressure from the home side.

Barnsley boss Nigel Spackman sent on substitute Mike Sheron and Leo Bertos but the pair failed to pep up the attack.

Substitute Anthony Kay had a couple of efforts, putting a shot wide and seeing Lucas make a save.

Teams:

Barnsley Miller, Regan, Ward (Kay 54), Chettle, Barker, Morgan, Neil, Barrowclough, Barnard (Bertos 77), Fallon, Shipperley (Sheron 64).

Subs Not Used: Marriott, Parkin.

Booked: Morgan.

Preston Lucas, Alexander, Kidd, Edwards, Murdock, Macken (Gunnlaugsson 75), Rankine (Barry-Murphy 87), Gregan, McKenna, Healy (Cresswell 66), Anderson.

Subs Not Used: Lonergan, Cartwright.

Booked: Edwards.

Goals: Macken 14, Anderson 38, McKenna 57, Cresswell 70.

Att: 16,361

Ref: M Brandwood (Lichfield).