Preston climbed to fifth in the Coca-Cola Championship with a dramatic win over fellow promotion-chasers Southampton at wind-swept Deepdale.

The visitors dominated the first half with Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan forced into important saves from Djamel Belmadi.

But Neil Mellor, making his first start for Preston since joining from Liverpool in August, flicked home his first for the club in added time before the break.

Grzegorz Rasiak, who returned to the Southampton starting line-up after being left out for three matches, levelled with his 20th of the season just after the break.

But David Nugent's 15th of the season restored North End's advantage in the 75th minute and five minutes later Chris Baird's own goal sealed the points for the hosts, while Southampton's Gareth Bale had a quiet evening in front of watching Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The game kicked off with the sides level on 59 points but North End now move above Wolves on goal difference.

Southampton started the better and Lonergan pulled off a decent block from Belmadi's low strike after three minutes.

Preston responded with an attack of their own but Mellor's shot was palmed wide by Saints goalkeeper Kelvin Davis.

Both sides were struggling to cope with the conditions, although in the 18th minute, Belmadi, Jhon Viafara and Kenwyne Jones each had shots blocked in a frantic spell in the North End area.

With the hosts employing a three-man attack, Nugent was frequently drifting out to the right and his accurate cross was headed over by Danny Pugh.

Southampton were gradually getting on top and Lonergan pulled off a scrambling save to deny Belmadi following Viafara's deep cross.

Shortly after, Viafara drove just wide as the Saints continued to exert pressure.

In the 44th minute, Jermaine Wright's pass opened up the home defence and Surman was only denied by a low save from Lonergan.

But Preston took a shock lead when Graham Alexander's floated free-kick was headed across goal by Michael Ricketts and after a scramble, Nugent prodded goalwards, only for Mellor to turn the ball across goal and into the net.

Immediately after the restart, Chris Sedgwick was denied by a couple of Southampton bodies and Mellor should have added a second from Nugent's clever pass but thumped his shot straight at Davis.

As North End continued to press, Mellor just failed to make contact with Pugh's whipped ball in and Sedgwick planted a header just wide from Ricketts' cross.

But in the 56th minute, the Saints equalised through Rasiak in bizarre circumstances.

Wright's drilled shot saved by Lonergan, as was the follow-up from Rasiak but the Pole then headed onto the underside of the bar and the ball narrowly crossed the line.

Substitute Patrick Agyemang was just thwarted by Davis after a quick break but North End were soon ahead again.

With just over 15 minutes left, Agyemang raced clear of the Saints defence onto Nugent's through ball and then returned the pass to his strike partner.

The England Under-21 striker showed composure to cut back inside Claus Lundekvam and guide the ball past Davis.

And in the 80th minute, Preston's job was complete when Sedgwick's seemingly harmless cross was diverted into net via Davis and Baird.

That killed the game and North End comfortably played out the final minutes to secure a vital win.

Teams:

Preston Lonergan, Alexander, St. Ledger, Chilvers, Davidson,Sedgwick, Pergl, Pugh, Nugent (Dichio 88),Ricketts (Wilson 86), Mellor (Agyemang 64).

Subs Not Used: Henderson, Nowland.

Booked: Davidson.

Goals: Mellor 45, Nugent 75, Baird 81 og.

Southampton Davis, Makin (Guthrie 79), Lundekvam, Baird, Bale,Belmadi, Wright, Viafara, Surman (Saganowski 84), Rasiak,Jones (Wright-Phillips 76).

Subs Not Used: Bialkowski, Pele.

Goals: Rasiak 57.

Ref: N Miller (Co Durham).