Two-goal Neil Shipperley launched a smash-and-grab raid to sink Preston in
five second-half minutes.
Shipperley's double knocked the stuffing out of Preston, especially as
goalkeeper Kelvin Davis had kept Wimbledon on level terms three minutes into the
second half with a superb save to deny Eric Skora.
Skora's shot from 18 yards was on target, but Davis was equal to the challenge
and made a fine stop.
But the visitors were rocked when Wimbledon took the lead on the hour through
Shipperley.
Patrick Agyemang's cross found Shipperley who made no mistake with a shot from
18 yards.
And Preston's hopes were dashed five minutes later with that man Shipperley
again on target.
Alex Tapp's shot from 20 yards was parried by Preston keeper Jonathan Gould
but Shipperley was on hand to ram the ball home and give his side a two-goal
cushion.
Wimbledon had just shaded the opening 45 minutes but were kept at bay by a
resolute Preston side.
The home side won the opening corner after just three minutes but Tapp's flag
kick was cleared at the far post by Brian O'Neil.
Wimbledon continued to press for an early opener but they were kept at bay by
some resilient defending from Craig Brown's men.
Despite both sides probing for an opening, much of the action was confined to
the midfield, although Wimbledon continued to enjoy the better of the
exchanges.
Tapp got in a good cross after 12 minutes but Preston's Tyrone Mears was on
hand to clear the danger.
Wimbledon also had the first shot on goal, but Ben Chorley's long-range effort
flew wide of the target.
Preston had their first real opportunity after 15 minutes, Graham Alexander's
effort going the wrong side of the post.
Play continued to switch from end to end with Preston Gould having to punch
clear from Agyemang's cross.
But most of Wimbledon's efforts on goal were coming from long range and Peter
Hawkins sent his 25-yard shot wide midway through the first half.
Preston started the second half strongly and won three corners in quick
succession, but once Shipperley had struck their resistance crumbled.
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