David Nugent's double set Preston on their way to a Coca-Cola Championship victory against struggling Cardiff which adds further momentum to their march towards the play-offs.

It was the 19-year-old's sixth and seventh goals - both laid on by strike partner Richard Cresswell, who scored the third - since arriving at Deepdale from Bury in a £100,000 move in January.

Nugent's strikes prised open what had been a tight and anxious game but earned three points which could prove extremely valuable in the coming weeks, as well as extending North End's fine run to just one defeat in 20 league matches.

Manager Lennie Lawrence, whose Cardiff team remain deep in relegation trouble, could only look on jealously as his shot-shy Bluebirds, who were the better side for much of the opening period, failed to significantly trouble the North End rearguard.

Matt Hill came into the Preston side at left-back after Calum Davidson had picked up a knock in the warm up and the hosts made an unconvincing start.

Carlo Nash and Chris Lucketti were involved in an early mix-up which led to Hill fouling Joe Ledley and resulted in unmarked Cardiff defender Danny Gabbidon heading a Richard Langley free-kick over from close-range.

Cardiff had much the better of the opening exchanges but goalscoring has been their downfall this term and characteristically they failed to create chances.

The booking for dissent of the normally placid Preston winger Eddie Lewis was an indicator of the mounting frustration inside Deepdale.

Their first chance came midway through the half, when Brian O'Neil robbed Langley and laid the ball off for Nugent, but the in-form striker could only fire over from just inside the area.

The second half began at a similarly slow pace, but Graham Alexander fired wide from distance and Nugent headed over from a Lewis cross as Preston tried to rouse themselves.

The Bluebirds once again showed their defensive determination when Lewis broke quickly and lifted a cross into the City box that sparked panic, with Cresswell and Nugent both having shots blocked and Chris Sedgwick having a shot cleared off the line by Gabbidon.

Just past the hour, Lewis skipped past Tony Vidmar and his thunderous effort forced a fine block from goalkeeper Neil Alexander, only for Cresswell to slice his follow-up high and wide.

The visitors were finally breached in the 67th minute, when Cresswell was forced wide to the right and his cross was only half cleared to Nugent, who lashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner of Alexander's net.

Despite a treble Cardiff substitution, just over 10 minutes later, Cresswell raced clear down the left and rolled the ball across to the on-rushing Nugent, who guided the ball inside the right post to seal the win.

With five minutes remaining, Cresswell robbed Barker and slotted the ball inside the near post to add further gloss for Billy Davies' rampant side.

Teams

Preston Nash, Alexander, Mawene, Lucketti, O'Neil (Etuhu 82), Hill, McKenna, Lewis, Sedgwick (Mears 87), Nugent (Agyemang 90), Cresswell.

Subs Not Used: Davis, Ward.

Booked: Lewis, Mawene.

Goals: Nugent 67, 79, Cresswell 85.

Cardiff Alexander, Vidmar, Collins, Gabbidon, Barker, Ardley, Ledley, Langley, McAnuff (Lee 74), Thorne (Boland 74), Jerome (Boulding 74).

Subs Not Used: Margetson, Williams.

Att: 15,141

Ref: N Miller (Co Durham).