Play-off hopefuls Sheffield United suffered their eighth away defeat of the season as their run of poor results at Deepdale continued.

They have failed to win away to the Lilywhites since 1955 and goals by Dickson Etuhu and Eddie Lewis condemned them to another miserable journey home and left them still needing points to make sure of a top-six finish.

However, for long periods the Blades appeared in control of the game, but Etuhu put Preston ahead on the hour and Lewis' sixth of the season three minutes from time made sure of the spoils.

Craig Brown's side, with just one win in their last five games, almost got off to the perfect start, but Pawel Abbott's right-foot shot in the second minute was brilliantly saved by Paddy Kenny.

Marcel Cas, making only his second start for United, fired an effort wide after seven minutes before veteran striker Wayne Allison had a header saved by Jonathan Gould.

Despite those early opportunities, it was a scrappy opening half-hour with the only other chance falling to Steve Kabba after 27 minutes, but he scuffed his shot which was easily gathered by former Celtic stopper Gould.

Michael Tonge failed to seriously test Gould as United continued to control the game and Preston suffered a blow when injured striker Richard Cresswell was replaced by Simon Lynch after 36 minutes.

Gould was called into action again early in the second period as he parried Michael Brown's right-foot free-kick from 25 yards before full-back Rob Kozluk had a shot blocked.

United continued to create all the chances with Phil Jagielka heading over the crossbar before Preston took the lead on the hour.

Graham Alexander's corner from the right was met by Etuhu, who headed home from six yards for his sixth goal of the season.

Neil Warnock immediately made two changes in attack, Kabba and Allison replaced by Carl Asaba and Paul Peschisolido, before Preston midfielder Eric Skora was booked for dissent.

Skora was soon replaced by Paul McKenna before defender Chris Lucketti headed the ball over the crossbar from another Alexander corner.

Owen Morrison replaced Cas as Warnock made his final change with 17 minutes remaining and the substitute lashed a shot over the top as his side searched for an equaliser.

Lewis and Etuhu both went close for the home side before Tonge forced Gould into a fantastic save and Brown curled a free-kick over the crossbar.

But American international Lewis made the game safe when he converted Etuhu's cross from the right.

Teams

Preston: Gould, Alexander, Lucketti, Jackson, Mears, Skora (McKenna 69), Etuhu, O'Neil, Lewis (Cartwright 89), Abbott, Cresswell (Lynch 37).

Subs Not Used: Bailey, Lucas.

Booked: Skora.

Goals: Etuhu 61, Lewis 87.

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Curtis, Jagielka, Murphy, Kozluk, Tonge, Brown, Montgomery, Kabba (Peschisolido 66), Allison (Asaba 67), Cas (Morrison 73).

Subs Not Used: Windass, Cryan.

Att: 14,793

Ref: P Prosser (Gloucestershire).