Preston showed exactly why Leicester targeted Billy Davies as their new manager by earning a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace to stretch their unbeaten run to 21 games.

Earlier today, Preston refused Leicester permission to speak to Davies about the managerial vacancy at the Walkers Stadium.

But the job is unlikely to have interested Davies anyway, especially with Preston reinforcing their promotion credentials by climbing above Palace into fifth place in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Davies made Brett Ormerod his last January signing over the weekend and the former Southampton striker struck within 13 minutes of his debut to reward Preston for their early dominance.

Brian O'Neil's 49th-minute header then gave them breathing space for the remainder of the game - the second of three between the sides in the space of 11 days.

Last Wednesday Ormerod was playing against Palace for Southampton, a goalless draw in which he suffered a thigh injury and a broken nose.

But after signing for Preston on a free transfer, he shrugged off those injuries to play a starring role in the opening exchanges.

Paul McKenna returned to the side after being suspended for Saturday's 1-1 FA Cup draw between the two sides and had the first shot at goal in the fourth minute, only for it to be inadvertently blocked by team-mate Ormerod.

Like McKenna, David Nugent also returned to the line-up following a one-game ban and almost snatched the opener in the ninth minute, muscling Tom Soares off a punt forward by goalkeeper Carlo Nash before being denied by Palace goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly.

And just four minutes later, Preston were deservedly in front when O'Neil pounced on a mix-up between Mark Hudson and Mikele Leigertwood before nudging the ball to Ormerod, who had room to fire home left-footed from just inside the box.

Six minutes later, Ormerod almost had a second goal from Callum Davidson's cut-back, but Kiraly pulled off a good reflex save to prevent the ball going inside his near post.

Palace began to come forward and in the 25th minute Emmerson Boyce advanced from his left-back berth before playing a one-two with Andy Johnson and blazing over.

Three minutes later, Clinton Morrison missed a gilt-edged chance from just four yards, sidefooting over from Michael Hughes' free-kick, and Morrison then shot straight at Nash after turning in the box.

But within four minutes of the restart, Preston gave themselves a two-goal cushion.

O'Neil headed the equaliser on Saturday from a free-kick straight off the training ground and again Palace were undone by a training-ground routine.

After Preston won a corner on the left, runners in the middle of the area left O'Neil unmarked to head home Graham Alexander's near-post delivery.

After 55 minutes, Johnson reminded Preston of the threat he poses as the England striker forced a fine diving save from Nash after Youl Mawene gifted Palace possession.

But Preston regained their composure, and Davidson was denied by Kiraly in the 63rd minute after strike pair Nugent and Ormerod combined.

Marco Reich came on for Palace and had a shot blocked while Johnson's low centre failed to find a team-mate, but Preston were comfortable winners.

Preston Nash, Alexander, Mawene, Davis, Mears,Sedgwick (Lucketti 81), McKenna, O'Neil (Whaley 74), Davidson,Ormerod (Agyemang 74), Nugent.

Subs Not Used: Dichio, Stock.

Booked: Davis, Nugent, O'Neil.

Goals: Ormerod 13, O'Neil 49.

Crystal Palace Kiraly, Ward, Fitz Hall, Hudson,Boyce (Freedman 69), Soares, Hughes, Leigertwood,McAnuff (Reich 61), Morrison (Macken 68), Johnson.

Subs Not Used: Speroni, Riihilahti.

Booked: Hudson, Leigertwood, Morrison, Reich.

Att: 13,867

Ref: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).