Preston left it late but Graham Alexander's penalty finally earned them three points in the Lancashire derby with stubborn Burnley at Deepdale.

North End squandered chance after chance and the Clarets, who travel to Blackburn for an FA Cup fifth round replay on Tuesday, looked like holding on for a trademark clean sheet before Alexander broke the deadlock with eight minutes remaining.

Following a drab and shot-shy first-half, the hosts came to life after the break, showing plenty of the endeavour that has catapulted them into play-off contention but, with David Nugent particularly culpable, a host of opportunities went begging.

However, Alexander's sixth goal of the season, as well as results going their way elsewhere, kept Preston firmly in the hunt for a top-six place.

Given the intense rivalry between the two clubs, it was an understandably scrappy opening, with neither goalkeeper tested in the early stages.

There was no place in the Burnley squad for new signing Ade Akinbiyi, who joined from Stoke for £600,000 this week but is struggling with a thigh problem.

Burnley manager Steve Cotterill's problems in the striking department were further emphasised by the appearance of 16-year-old apprentice Cayne Hanley on a bench that also included coach Mark Yates.

Despite their selection problems, it was the visitors that had the first real opportunity to break the deadlock but Jean-Louis Valois, who was on target in the 1-1 midweek draw at Derby, could only head straight at North End goalkeeper Chris Day after making good contact with John Oster's cross.

Alexander had already shot well off target for the hosts and midway through the first half, North End top-scorer Richard Cresswell got his first opportunity but failed to add to his tally of 16 goals, volleying over from inside the area.

Callum Davidson also had a shot blocked by Burnley defender Gary Cahill, and Chris Sedgwick charged down Peter Whittingham's 25-yard strike at the other end.

Nugent has made a major impact at Deepdale in recent weeks and after a quiet first-half began to fire after the interval.

The 19-year-old, who joined from League Two club Bury last month, hit a perfect cross for Paul McKenna, who was only thwarted by Brian Jensen, and soon after saw an effort cannon away off Graham Branch.

Davidson headed wide from a cross from Alexander, who then saw a powerful 25-yard strike held by Jensen, while Nugent and Cresswell were off-target from a similar distance, as Billy Davies' side piled on the pressure.

Cotterill's men still offered the occasional threat and North End skipper Chris Lucketti had to be alert to get in the way of a close-range Ian Moore header.

Nugent then shot over from a whipped Eddie Lewis free-kick but it mattered little when Lee Roche was ruled to have dragged Lewis over in the area.

Burnley were incensed but Alexander hammered the spot-kick into the top right corner of Jensen's net to give his team a deserved lead, which Cresswell came close to doubling with a header.

But stretching their run to just one defeat in 12 league matches, as well as avenging their 2-0 defeat at Turf Moor earlier in the season, North End will be more than satisfied.

Teams

Preston: Day, Alexander (Davis 90), Lucketti, Mawene, Davidson, Sedgwick, McKenna, O'Neil, Lewis, Nugent, Cresswell (Agyemang 90).

Subs Not Used: Hill, Etuhu, Smith.

Booked: Cresswell.

Goals: Alexander 82 pen.

Burnley: Jensen, Roche, Cahill, Duff, Camara, Oster, Grant, Branch, Whittingham, Valois, Moore.

Subs Not Used: Coyne, Pilkington, Scott, Yates, Hanley.

Booked: Roche, Camara.

Att: 18,202

Ref: G Laws (Tyne & Wear).