Promotion hopefuls Preston bounced back from an early Sheffield Wednesday goal to claim all three points at Hillsborough.

Deon Burton gave Wednesday an early lead in search of his side's first win of the year, but Preston hit back with a goal from Brett Ormerod and two from David Nugent.

With the first real chance of the game after four minutes, Owls striker Burton struck a left-footed shot from 20 yards out to beat North End goalkeeper Andy Lonergan.

But Preston made a quick recovery two minutes later through Ormerod's close-range header, before Nugent claimed their second on the brink of half-time and their third at the start of the second half.

Wednesday dominated early on and Chris Brunt came close to scoring a second after 10 minutes.

The 22-year-old midfielder's inswinging corner was a strong effort, but Lonergan was ready this time and punched the ball to safety.

Brunt set up Glenn Whelan minutes later from another corner, but the Owls midfielder's shot sailed past the post.

Marcus Tudgay then tested Lonergan with a powerful header, which the North End stopper tipped over the net for another corner - which amounted to nothing.

Preston started to come back into the game and got a chance to score midway through the first half but goal-scorer Ormerod's cross was delivered safely into the hands of goalkeeper Mark Crossley.

Preston tested Crossley again on the half-hour mark as Paul McKenna's long-range free-kick curled into the danger zone, but the veteran was prepared and made a save.

Then Nugent was on target just before the break with his 12th goal of the season as his 12-yard effort sent Preston into the lead.

Preston began the second half well and Nugent came close to adding his second five minutes after the break although his shot went wide.

But 10 minutes into the second half the Preston striker paired up with Ormerod and there was no error this time as he extended the lead to 3-1.

Ormerod crossed the ball in from the left wing and Nugent finished off well with a close-range shot at the centre of the goal.

Preston were now in full control of the game and Danny Pugh was close to adding a fourth goal on the hour mark.

But the Owls would not give up without a fight and Brunt desperately tried to get one back with a long-range effort midway through the second half, but the ball sailed past the goalpost.

Teenage defender Mark Beevers - in just his second start for Wednesday - came close with 15 minutes to go, but his 18-yard shot was off target.

Burton tried to add his second for Wednesday with two chances in quick succession towards the end of the game, but could not hit the back of the net.

Teams:

Sheff Wed Crossley, Bullen, Simek, Beevers, Spurr,Lunt (Folly 57), Whelan, Brunt, Small (MacLean 77),Tudgay (Clarke 57), Burton.

Subs Not Used: Adamson, Graham.

Booked: Clarke.

Goals: Burton 4.

Preston Lonergan, Alexander, Chilvers, Hill, Wilson, Pugh,Sedgwick, McKenna, Ricketts (Whaley 71), Nugent, Ormerod.

Subs Not Used: Henderson, Agyemang, St. Ledger, Lewis Neal.

Booked: Ricketts.

Goals: Ormerod 6, Nugent 45, 55.

Att: 22,441

Ref: S Tanner (Somerset).