Clinton Morrison's 14th Coca-Cola Championship goal of the season was enough to see Crystal Palace earn a 1-0 win and add to Preston's relegation worries at Deepdale.

The Eagles dominated the opening 45 minutes but North End goalkeeper Andy Lonergan thwarted them to maintain parity until the break.

But Morrison, out of contract at the end of the season, headed home to give Palace a first win in seven and possibly revive their flagging play-off chances.

Palace manager Neil Warnock was forced into a host of changes from last weekend's defeat to Wolves, with Clint Hill, Tom Soares and James Scowcroft all suspended, while Shefki Kuqi was left out of the squad after gesturing to fans last weekend.

Despite being without several key players, it was Warnock's men who made the brighter start.

Ben Watson could have put the visitors ahead as early as the eighth minute but from six yards out he somehow contrived to fire wide of Lonergan's goal.

Morrison found himself in space moments later, but North End defender Youl Mawene managed to block his effort.

Carl Fletcher's 22nd-minute strike from 20 yards forced Liam Chilvers into a smart block as the away side continued to create the better chances.

Chilvers had to put his body on the line again after 26 minutes, this time to block Shaun Derry's 25-yard shot.

Morrison then called Lonergan into action with a 20-yard effort which the 24-year-old did well to save.

Watson's 33rd-minute free-kick deflected behind off Paul McKenna and two minutes later the home side finally managed an effort on goal.

Darren Carter, making his return to the Preston team following suspension at the expense of the injured Richard Chaplow, hit a 25-yard shot over the bar.

After 40 minutes, Paul Ifill, who overcame a late fitness test for Palace, saw his effort parried away by Lonergan before Morrison's effort was blocked by Mawene.

On the stroke of half-time, Ifill saw his shot blocked by Billy Jones and at the other end Chris Sedgwick's long-range effort was blocked by Danny Butterfield.

Preston boss Alan Irvine was forced into a double substitution during the interval, with Karl Hawley and Simon Whaley going off injured and Neil Mellor and Lewis Neal replacing them.

Chris Brown tried his luck three minutes into the second half but his shot was blocked by Matthew Lawrence and at the other end Victor Moses volleyed a vicious effort wide of the target.

Moses hit an effort from distance straight at Lonergan in the 57th minute and the game began to fizzle out as both sides struggled to create openings.

Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni was not called into action for 67 minutes but when Sedgwick fired in a 20-yard effort the Argentinian was on hand to tip it over the bar.

Sedgwick had another effort blocked by substitute Dougie Freedman and Watson did well to get in the way of Neal's effort on goal as the hosts pushed for a winner.

But it was the Eagles who went ahead after 76 minutes when Moses' header found Morrison six yards out and the Republic of Ireland striker headed in.

McKenna curled a free-kick over the bar late on but Preston could not find an equaliser.