Norwich took a significant step towards the First Division title with victory over 10-man Preston at a packed Carrow Road.
Darren Huckerby netted his 14th goal of the season with six minutes left to secure a seventh successive win for the Canaries and help them move five points clear of West Brom, who lost 1-0 at Reading.
Preston seemed to be on the way to spoiling Norwich's hopes of finishing their home campaign with a win as they twice hit back to level through Paul McKenna and David Healy after first Leon McKenzie and then Damien Francis had put the hosts ahead.
The visitors had to see out the final 21 minutes with 10 men after Marlon Broomes was sent off - and they so nearly stunned Norwich when McKenna saw his shot hit the woodwork with 13 minutes left.
Huckerby put Norwich ahead for the third time. But Dickson Etuhu almost earned Preston a point - with goalkeeper Robert Green pulling off a fine finger-tip save in injury time.
Nigel Worthington's side made a flying start by taking the lead inside two minutes. Huckerby fired in a shot which took a deflection, and McKenzie was on hand to head home his ninth goal in 16 games.
But Preston, who have won just one of their last 11 league matches, levelled within three minutes. Graham Alexander squared the ball to McKenna, who thumped home his fourth goal in five games with a fine strike from the edge of the box.
Norwich restored their advantage in the 28th minute with a superb solo effort from Francis, who dribbled his way into the area before unleashing a shot into the top corner for his third goal in as many games.
Green then produced a fine save to deny Lynch and preserve his side's lead at the break.
Preston replaced Cresswell with Ricardo Fuller, and within a minute the Jamaican found himself in Berkshire referee Iain Williamson's book for a foul on Marc Edworthy.
Fuller should have levelled moments later when he directed a header from David Healy's corner wide from close range.
But Preston were back on terms in the 48th minute when Healy, who had a spell on loan at Norwich last season, rifled the ball past Green.
Mathias Svensson was denied by Gould as the Swede attempted to give Norwich the lead for a third time, before Craig Fleming fluffed a great headed chance in the 64th minute.
Preston were down to 10 men with 21 minutes left after Broomes was sent off for a second bookable offence, before McKenna's shot came back off the woodwork.
Malky Mackay was denied by a fine save from Gould with five minutes left - but Huckerby came up with the goods.
Teams
Norwich Green, Edworthy, Fleming, Mackay, Drury,
Cooper (Mulryne 70), Holt, Francis, Huckerby,
Svensson (Roberts 79), McKenzie (McVeigh 74).
Subs Not Used: Crichton, Brennan.
Booked: Mackay, Holt.
Goals: McKenzie 2, Francis 28, Huckerby 84.
Preston Gould, Broomes, Lucketti, Michael Jackson, Alexander,
Lynch (Smith 74), Etuhu, McKenna, Lewis, Cresswell (Fuller 45),
Healy.
Subs Not Used: Lucas, McCormack, Davis.
Sent Off: Broomes (69).
Booked: Cresswell, Broomes, Fuller, Lewis.
Goals: McKenna 5, Healy 48.
Att: 23,673
Ref: I Williamson (Berkshire).
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