Seyi George Olofinjana's seventh goal of the season earned Wolves a seventh away win of the campaign with 10-man Preston hitting the woodwork in each half.

Now the Molineux outfit's top scorer, Nigerian midfielder Olofinjana grabbed the only goal of the game with just seven minutes gone.

Wolves were not content with that advantage and continued to attack, although Michael Ricketts' free-kick was only kept out by the woodwork for Preston.

There were plenty of chances at both ends after the break and Graham Alexander hit the post with a powerful drive but a second yellow card for Kelvin Wilson ended any chance of a comeback.

And having been beaten just once in 34 previous league matches, North End have now lost twice in four games at Deepdale and could lose third place in the Championship to Birmingham, who face Stoke on Sunday.

Despite Matt Hill's best efforts, the visitors got their noses in front in the eighth minute.

Dangerous winger Michael McIndoe, who had earlier shot wide from 20 yards, broke down the left and fed Andy Keogh, who beat goalkeeper Andy Lonergan but had his shot cleared off the line by Hill.

The North End full-back also blocked a follow-up from Stephen Ward but was powerless to stop Olofinjana's effort.

The hosts came close to a response 10 minutes later, when Rob Edwards fouled Ricketts just outside the area.

But the former England man's free-kick beat Wolves goalkeeper Matt Murray only to bounce away off the angle of the post and crossbar.

Despite the frenzied pace, there were few opportunities after that, although McIndoe continued to test Lonergan with whipped corners.

The same player brought another save from the North End goalkeeper with a 30-yard drive just after the half hour and Olofinjana dragged an effort wide in the closing minutes of the half.

Preston boss Paul Simpson deployed a three-man strike-force against his old club but the home side never looked like cancelling out Olofinjana's early strike and trailed at the interval.

It continued to be an even encounter after the break and Ward hit a shot wide a couple of minutes into the half.

David Nugent passed up a great chance to equalise, heading wide after he was picked out by a Chris Sedgwick cross six yards out.

Further chances were traded, with Lonergan pushing Keogh's powerful drive around the post and Ricketts heading just wide of goal at the other end.

The visitors were certainly not resting on their advantage and Lonergan was forced into another save from Darren Potter's long-range strike.

But with 16 minutes left, North End hit the woodwork again, when skipper Alexander's half-volley from 10 yards came back off the post.

In the 84th minute, Wilson, who had already been booked, was sent off after pulling Keogh down with the striker racing clear as North End slipped to a second home league defeat of the season.

Teams:

Preston Lonergan, Alexander, Chilvers, Wilson, Hill, Sedgwick,McKenna, Pugh (Mellor 80), Ricketts, Nugent,Ormerod (Whaley 15).

Subs Not Used: Henderson, Dichio, St. Ledger.

Sent Off: Wilson (84).

Booked: Wilson.

Wolverhampton Murray, Henry, Neill Collins, Edwards, McNamara,Kightly, Olofinjana, Potter, McIndoe (Mark Davies 80), Ward,Keogh.

Subs Not Used: Budtz, Bothroyd, Little, Lee Collins.

Goals: Olofinjana 8.

Att: 15,748

Ref: G Laws (Tyne & Wear).