Michael Ricketts' first goal for Preston earned the promotion-chasers a vital three points against at Deepdale.

The former England international headed in his first goal since scoring for Burnley in a 2-1 win over the Tractor Boys 13 months ago with just five minutes on the clock.

The visitors shaded possession but with Francis Jeffers back at Blackburn after picking up a hamstring problem and Alan Lee missing through suspension, they were toothless in attack.

Despite both teams showing plenty of attacking intent, neither was able to create much in the final third and there was little on show to impress the watching England manager Steve McClaren.

But, having lost 2-0 to lowly Hull at the weekend, all North End manager Paul Simpson will care about is recording a win.

There was an early scare for North End as George O'Callaghan just failed to connect with a Sylvain Legwinski corner after a couple of minutes.

However, in the sixth minute, the hosts forgot their early jitters with Ricketts guiding a powerful header past Lewis Price.

Following a sweeping move down the left, Danny Pugh's whipped cross was thumped home by the big striker.

A couple of minutes later, North End goalkeeper Andy Lonergan made a scrambling save to get a hand to Danny Haynes' drive and then also blocked Jon Walters' follow-up.

Ricketts' strike seemed to have taken much of the pace out of the game, although on-loan Portsmouth winger Franck Songo'o was causing the visitors plenty of problems down the right flank.

With just under 10 minutes of the first half remaining, impressive Ipswich winger Gary Roberts cut in past Matt Hill but his curling shot was easily met by Lonergan.

In the 40th minute, Nugent, who passed a fitness test on a back problem, raced onto a Callum Davidson through ball but hit his shot high and wide.

Ricketts was replaced by Danny Dichio at the break and the visitors were on the front foot from the restart, with a Legwinski strike deflected wide by Matt Hill.

After a long spell of Preston possession, Graham Alexander lobbed into the box for Nugent only for the England Under-21 star to have his low shot pushed wide by Price.

Centre-back Liam Chilvers then fired wide from an elaborate Preston free-kick.

In the 60th minute, Haynes volleyed over on the turn from 25 yards but a couple of minutes later Davidson's low drive following Pugh's corner came back off the inside of the post.

Haynes had an effort saved at the second attempt by Lonergan, Roberts sliced high and wide and David Wright curled a free-kick over as Ipswich continued to lack bite in attack.

With 12 minutes left, Legwinski dragged wide from 30 yards.

But apart from a couple of late scares after that, the visitors were unable to exert any real pressure - with frustrated manager Jim Magilton sent to the stand in added time - and Preston were relieved to get a narrow win.

Teams:

Preston Lonergan, Alexander, St. Ledger, Chilvers, Hill,Songo'o (Ormerod 80), Davidson, Sedgwick (Agyemang 76), Pugh,Nugent, Ricketts (Dichio 46).

Subs Not Used: Henderson, Soley.

Booked: Nugent, Davidson, Sedgwick, Songo'o, Ormerod.

Goals: Ricketts 6.

Ipswich Price, Wright, Bruce, De Vos, Harding (Wilnis 62),Roberts, Legwinski, O'Callaghan (Garvan 69),Richards (Williams 34), Walters, Haynes.

Subs Not Used: Supple, Clarke.

Booked: Haynes, Harding, Williams.

Att: 13,100

Ref: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).