Brighton's hopes of escaping the relegation zone for the first time since August were dashed by two late goals at the Withdean Stadium.

Stoke's defeat by Millwall meant a point would have been sufficient to lift Steve Coppell's side out of the bottom three, but a failure to convert chances in the first half, allied to Michael Jackson's 71st-minute header and Richard Cresswell's long-range strike, condemned them to only a second defeat in nine home games.

Brighton may look back on two chances in particular, Danny Cullip and Bobby Zamora denied by the woodwork in the space of 60 seconds, but they had the impressive Dave Beasant to thank for limiting the damage during a period of concerted Preston pressure.

The 44-year-old continued to defy Father Time with a string of fine saves after the interval, but it was David Lucas, his opposite number, who was called upon much more in the first half.

Zamora and Graham Barrett went close with headers in the opening exchanges, while Paul Brooker shot past Lucas' right-hand upright.

Cullip saw a fierce drive cannon off the post, and the groans from the home fans had barely died down when Zamora headed a corner against the crossbar.

Lucas needed to be alert to claw out Brian O'Neil's free-kick, and the fact that he was the busiest goalkeeper was underlined in the final minutes of the half when he scrambled across his goal to shepherd Simon Rodger's acrobatic effort wide.

Manager Craig Brown's half-time team talk spurred Preston into action, but Eddie Lewis' wayward finishing - his effort sailed high into the crowd - and Paul McKenna's dithering when released by Eric Skora ensured Brighton remained on level terms.

However, just minutes after denying the unfortunate Hart with a goal-line clearance, Jackson put Preston in front, rising unmarked to thump Graham Alexander's corner past Beasant in the 71st minute.

Beasant, who had earlier pulled off a spectacular save to deny Cresswell, had to be at his agile best to keep out Skora's left-footed curler, and was fortunate not to be be sent off - never mind concede a penalty - when he appeared to bring down Abbott.

Brown was sent from the dug-out for his protests, but his anger turned to delight with four minutes remaining when Cresswell found the top corner of Beasant's goal with a stunning finish from the edge of the penalty area.

Teams

Brighton: Beasant, Cullip, Mayo, Ingimarsson, Watson, Carpenter, Rodger, Barrett (Kitson 76), Brooker (Jones 76), Hart, Zamora.

Subs Not Used: Oatway, Pethick, Packham.

Booked: Cullip.

Preston: Lucas, Alexander, O'Neil, Jackson, Lucketti, Lewis (Cartwright 80), Abbott, McKenna, Mears, Cresswell, Skora (Etuhu 76).

Subs Not Used: Edwards, Lynch, Gould.

Booked: Skora, O'Neil.

Goals: Jackson 71, Cresswell 86.

Att: 6,669

Ref: L Cable (Surrey).