Coca-Cola Championship strugglers Preston shocked title favourites West Brom at Deepdale, with Youl Mawene and Karl Hawley on target in a 2-1 win.

Mawene was sent off in a tense closing period but the table-topping Baggies could not add to Zoltan Gera's 49th-minute equaliser as they slumped to a surprise defeat.

The Lilywhites went ahead with just five minutes on the board when defender Mawene powered home his close-range header before Gera replied with a long-range effort four minutes after the restart.

Hawley, North End's two-goal hero in their FA Cup fourth round demolition of Barclays Premier League Derby, restored the advantage after a period of sustained West Brom pressure and the hosts retained the lead despite Mawene receiving two yellow cards in the space of 10 minutes.

The 28-year-old Frenchman had earlier opened the scoring when he powered home Darren Carter's right-wing cross from inside the six-yard box as the visiting defence failed to pick up his run.

By that time, Filipe Teixeira had already tested the hands of home goalkeeper Andy Lonergan and James Morrison caused consternation with a fizzed cross-cum-shot across the face of goal.

Carter and Robert Koren traded mid-range efforts as both sides looked to find the net but it was Hawley who had a golden opportunity to double the lead after 13 minutes.

But he could not find a way past the blocking Bostjan Cesar.

Teixeira continued to threaten for the Baggies but too often his final ball found the hands of the sturdy Lonergan.

Zoltan Gera and Roman Bednar, meanwhile, scuffed presentable chances for Tony Mowbray's men.

Preston's Chris Brown broke well with 10 minutes of the half remaining and his centre found Simon Whaley, who shot firmly past Dean Kiely and was unlucky to see the ball cannon off the post.

West Brom started the second period with a measure of urgency and it was Hungary midfielder Gera who was first into the action, drilling a powerful 25-yard drive at goal.

Lonergan was again impressive, though, and leapt athletically to keep the ball out.

Carl Hoefkens followed Gera's lead and was soon bursting down the right and forcing a defensive clearance from the watchful Chris Sedgwick.

But Gera was soon back in the thick of it, collecting a pass from full-back Paul Robinson and lashing the ball into the top-left corner from distance.

Mowbray's side continued to build momentum and Teixeira again tried his luck, shooting right-footed from 12 yards but once more finding Lonergan on form.

Then, with 28 minutes of the second half gone and the hosts seemingly holding on for a point, former Carlisle striker Hawley struck to make it 2-1 to Preston.

Defender Sean St Ledger was the creator, finding space on the left following Paul McKenna's cross and cutting the ball back Hawley, who headed high beyond Kiely from close range.

Cesar and Gera both reacted with niggly fouls and Mowbray quickly sought to make changes, sending on Craig Beattie and Chris Brunt in place of Hoefkens and the disappointing Teixeira.

Mawene's first caution came after 75 minutes and just nine minutes later he had a second for a lunge on Beattie.

The dangerous Gera took responsibility for the free-kick and forced another important save out of the Preston keeper but it was the last effort of note as Mowbray's side failed to extend their Championship lead.

Chris Brown also received his marching orders in stoppage-time as Preston closed out victory with nine men on the pitch.

Teams:

Preston Lonergan, Davidson, Mawene, St. Ledger, Chilvers,Whaley, McKenna, Carter, Sedgwick (Chaplow 87),Hawley (Hill 86), Brown.

Subs Not Used: Lewis Neal, Chris Neal, Mellor.

Sent Off: Mawene (85), Brown (90).

Booked: Mawene, Brown.

Goals: Mawene 6, Hawley 72.

West Brom Kiely, Robinson, Albrechtsen, Cesar,Hoefkens (Beattie 77), Filipe Teixeira (Brunt 76), Koren,Greening, Morrison, Bednar, Gera (MacDonald 88).

Subs Not Used: Barnett, Steele.

Booked: Bednar.

Goals: Gera 50.

Att: 12,473

Ref: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).