Liam Chilvers scored the only goal of the game as Preston boosted their promotion prospects and piled the pressure on struggling Barnsley.

Lewis Neal failed to make the most of a couple of decent opportunities while Paul Hayes hit the bar for Barnsley in an opening period that Preston had th better of.

North End continued to dominate after the break and following a flurry of chances, Chilvers thumped home a header within 10 minutes of the restart.

Barnsley were rarely able to trouble the hosts defensively although Daniel Nardiello hit the post with a low shot late on.

But Simon Davey's Barnsley side remain rooted in the Championship drop zone while Preston made up ground on leaders Birmingham.

They also handed a debut to Michael Ricketts, who came on with 17 minutes left, after joining forthe rest of the season.

Despite Barnsley having the better of the first couple of minutes, North End quickly established themselves and enjoyed possession deep in Tykes' territory.

Their first chance came in the eighth minute when Chris Sedgwick's cross was sliced by Barnsley's Paul Reid and goalkeeper Nick Colgan did well to stop Neal's effort.

North End skipper Graham Alexander mis-cued Colgan's long punt but Barnsley forward Nardiello fired wide from 15 yards.

Neal passed up another good chance in the 19th minute. Preston patiently waited for the opening but from Brett Ormerod's cross, Neal fired straight at Colgan, before Paul McKenna headed wide shortly afterwards.

Midway through the first half, Colgan's long goal-kick skipped off Chilvers head and Paul Hayes' clever lob bounced off the bar and over.

Barnsley's Dwayne Mattis, a new signing from Bury, also glanced a header wide at the near post from a cross from Adam Eckersley, also making a debut after arriving on loan from Manchester United.

However, the visitors were struggling to make their superior passing count and went in goalless at the break.

The second half started with a much quicker pace and Ormerod forced a save from Colgan from just outside the area with two minutes gone.

Five minutes later, McKenna blasted a free-kick just high and wide from 25 yards as Preston continued to push forward.

Callum Davidson's scuffed shot from a similar distance fell to Ormerod but Colgan got low to pull off a smart stop.

From a McKenna corner shortly after Chilvers headed down and into the far corner to give his side a 55th minute advantage.

Much to the frustration of the Oakwell crowd, it was North End that continued looked most likely to score.

With 17 minutes remaining Ricketts came on but at the other end, Michael Coulson had a shot blocked by Chilvers following Eckersley's driven cross.

Barnsley substitute Grant McCann flashed a shot wide and Nardiello also hit the foot of the post after a spin and shot.

But they slumped to a fifth defeat in six league matches.

Barnsley Colgan, Hassell, Paul Reid, Atkinson, Eckersley,Mattis, Togwell (McCann 73), Howard, Kyel Reid,Hayes (Coulson 65), Nardiello.

Subs Not Used: Lucas, Heckingbottom, Kay.

Booked: Hassell, Nardiello, Howard.

Preston Nash, Alexander, Chilvers, Wilson, Hill, Sedgwick,McKenna, Davidson (Dichio 90), Lewis Neal, Nugent (Whaley 84),Ormerod (Ricketts 73).

Subs Not Used: Lonergan, Jarrett.

Booked: Hill.

Goals: Chilvers 55.

Att: 10,810

Ref: P Joslin (Nottinghamshire).