Jon Parkin's smart finish gave Preston the win which lifted them to fourth place in the Coca-Cola Championship and increased Norwich's relegation worries.

The Canaries impressed at Deepdale before Parkin's strike but failed to test North End goalkeeper Andy Lonergan after the break.

Lonergan was outstanding in the 0-0 draw at Reading last weekend and was again in top form to deny midfielders Lee Croft and Mark Fotheringham early on as the hosts ground out a win.

The home side did start brightly and centre-back Sean St Ledger had the first chance in the fourth minute.

He went forward for a corner and when the ball was not cleared, Richard Chaplow whipped in a second cross which St Ledger powerfully headed goalward but Norwich goalkeeper David Marshall comfortably held onto.

Bryan Gunn's side then began to dictate the play and only a top-drawer stop from Lonergan denied Croft.

A flowing move ended with Carl Cort teeing up Croft on the edge of the area and his swirling drive was destined for the far corner until Lonergan diverted it wide.

Alan Gow took the resulting corner and Jason Shackell flicked the ball on at the near post but the ball flew through a pack of bodie and sailed just wide.

Fotheringham then robbed Chaplow in the middle of the pitch and after running 30 yards unchallenged smashed in an effort from 20 yards which was again well kept out by Lonergan.

But Parkin came to life with five minutes of the half remaining.

A long ball forward was well controlled by the burly striker and after rolling Shackell he curled a shot against the post from just inside the area.

But in the 41st minute Paul McKenna's corner came to Parkin at the back post and, after controlling the ball, the former Stoke man drove in a low shot which went in off the inside of the same post.

Chaplow came close to doubling the lead in the opening seconds of the second period.

He mis-hit his shot and the bounce nearly deceived Marshall but the goalkeeper reacted well to palm the ball to safety.

Wesley Hoolahan then picked out Cort with a perfect cross from the left but the former Newcastle man could not guide his effort on target.

Norwich piled forward in search of an equaliser and Hoolahan should have done better when he was presented with the chance to lob into an empty net after Lonergan had punched clear but he could only loft the ball into the stands.

Gary Doherty then sparked a melee in the six-yard box when his header down was doggedly kept out by a combination of St Ledger and Lonergan, and when the ball was cleared Parkin was hauled down by Shackell who was booked.

Preston held on for the win which leaves Norwich just two points clear of the drop zone.

Teams:

Preston Lonergan, Jones, Davies, St. Ledger, Nolan, Nicholson, McKenna, Chaplow (Carter 69), Sedgwick (Whaley 69), Parkin (Mawene 88), Brown.

Subs Not Used: Neal, Hawley.

Booked: McKenna.

Goals: Parkin 41.

Norwich Marshall, Otsemobor, Doherty, Shackell, Grounds, Croft, Fotheringham, Russell, Hoolahan (Carney 78), Gow (Killen 70), Cort (Cureton 79).

Subs Not Used: Nelson, Leijer.

Booked: Grounds, Shackell.

Att: 12,033

Ref: Rob Shoebridge (Derbyshire).