Preston secured their first win in seven matches with a comfortable 3-0 success against in-form Gillingham at Deepdale.
Goals from Eddie Lewis and Graham Alexander put North End firmly in command at half-time, and 10 minutes after the restart they added a third through a Barry Ashby own goal.
Richard Cresswell was a surprise inclusion in Preston's starting line-up having been out of action since suffering a hamstring injury in the New Year's Day defeat at Stoke.
Boss Craig Brown made two other changes, with defensive duo Marlon Broomes and Michael Jackson coming in for the suspended Colin Murdock and Tyrone Mears - who dropped to the bench.
Gillingham, unbeaten in their last nine league and cup games before this match, were unchanged from the side which held Leeds to a draw in the FA Cup last week.
Cresswell was straight into the action, firing a shot over the crossbar after just 12 seconds, while Gills player-manager Andy Hessenthaler responded with a drilled effort that flew wide in a bright opening.
Visiting goalkeeper Jason Brown was called into action for the first time in the 10th minute. Alexander's cross picked out Cresswell but his header was parried to safety.
The early action was swinging from end to end as a minute later Gillingham's Guy Ipoua spurned a golden opportunity to open the scoring.
The six-goal striker was left unmarked six yards out but he mis-hit his shot.
Ipoua was lively and forced a fine save from Preston goalkeeper Jonathan Gould with a fierce drive from the edge of the box after 20 minutes.
The home side hit back, however, and after Brian O'Neil came close with a 25-yard volley, Lewis broke the deadlock. O'Neil's deep cross found the American unmarked at the far post, and he slammed the ball home.
Preston had lost defender Broomes just moments earlier to injury, with Mears coming on to replace him, but North End began to dominate and they extended their lead from the penalty spot after 37 minutes.
Paul McKenna was sent clear, Hessenthaler lunged in, and although the Preston man tried to stay on his feet, the referee pointed to the spot.
Alexander placed his kick into the top corner for his eighth of the season to put Preston in control.
Gillingham brought on Rod Wallace at the start of the second half in a bid to get back into the game and the diminutive forward almost scored within two minutes.
Nicky Southall's cross picked out Wallace but his powerful header was superbly tipped round the post by Gould. From the resulting corner, defender Ashby headed over the crossbar.
Ashby did get his name on the scoresheet minutes later but unfortunately for the Gills it was at the wrong end.
Cresswell went on a driving run into the area and sent in a low cross that came off Ashby's shin and past the stranded keeper.
Lewis came close to adding a fourth with two shots in two minutes but Brown was alert to save.
Preston were happy to soak up pressure as the game entered its closing stages, with the Gills restricted to long-range attempts.
Substitute Nayron Nosworthy and Paul Smith both saw goal-bound efforts blocked by Preston defenders as the home side held on for a deserved victory.
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