Derby took a major step to securing First Division safety with a comprehensive victory over Preston.

The hosts romped home thanks to first-half braces from Manuel Manel and Marcus Tudgay.

Buoyed by Manel's early opener, Derby pressed forward with intent, and Tudgay struck twice in the space of five minutes before the Spaniard added another.

Youl Mawene's own goal represented Preston's sole reward for their improvement after the break, but Junior restored Derby's four-goal advantage from the penalty spot.

George Burley, who saw his side climb out of the relegation zone at Gillingham's expense, watched his side perform superbly in the first half before dropping the tempo in the second.

Despite celebrating a second win in six days, Derby remain deep in trouble, and next week's clash with fellow strugglers Burnley is crucial.

Preston's play-off dream may have faded, but there can be few excuses for an insipid showing from a side that beat Derby 3-0 at Deepdale in November.

Derby, 3-2 winners over Bradford on Easter Monday, led within two minutes of kick-off. Leon Osman had a shot blocked, but Manel was on hand to turn in the rebound from close range for only his second goal for the club.

Dickson Etuhu got his body in the way of Manel's 10th-minute drive, and Preston goalkeeper Jonathan Gould was not unduly troubled by Michael Johnson's header from Osman's free-kick soon after.

Preston responded through Graham Alexander, whose strike was blocked by Richard Jackson, before Adam Bolder's 25-yard volley was saved by Gould.

Tudgay scored the goal which Derby's dominance deserved just before the half-hour, firing home off a post after an exchange of passes between Manel and Jackson.

Matters went from bad to worse for Preston in the 32nd minute. Manel's shot came back off the crossbar but Paul Peschisolido collected the loose ball before setting up Tudgay.

Victory was effectively sealed five minutes later, Manel firing past Gould after he had parried Tom Huddlestone's shot into the striker's path.

Mawene's own goal - he diverted a header past the largely untroubled Lee Grant in the 55th minute - was no more than a consolation for the visiting fans.

David Healy sent a tame free-kick wide as North End sought to salvage some more pride, and Etuhu also tried his luck with a left-footed volley.

Junior reaffirmed Derby's superiority 14 minutes from time, powering a spot-kick past Gould after Michael Jackson's handball.

Teams

Derby Grant, Bolder, Mawene, Johnson, Jackson, Tudgay (Doyle 88), Taylor (Junior 66), Huddlestone, Osman, Manel (Reich 66), Peschisolido.

Subs Not Used: Oakes, Mills.

Goals: Manel 2, Tudgay 27, 32, Manel 37, Junior 76 pen.

Preston Gould, Alexander, Michael Jackson, Lucketti, Broomes, McKenna, Etuhu (Mark Jackson 86), McCormack (Lynch 86), Healy, Fuller, Cresswell.

Subs Not Used: Lucas, Armstrong, Elebert.

Booked: Broomes, McCormack, Cresswell, Michael Jackson.

Goals: Mawene 55 og.

Att: 24,162

Ref: P Taylor (Hertfordshire).