David Nugent bagged his eighth goal of the season for Preston as the Coca-Cola Championship high-flyers took three points home from Sunderland.

The goal came against the run of play as Brett Ormerod found the 21-year-old to head home from close range after 36 minutes.

Preston started well, having their first chance in the opening minute through Matthew Hill but the ball sailed straight into goalkeeper Darren Ward's hands.

Sunderland then came close to getting the opener minutes later but Nyron Nosworthy had his attempt blocked by Preston defender Graham Alexander.

The Black Cats began to dominate and Liam Miller made visiting goalkeeper Carlo Nash earn his money after six minutes with a left-foot shot from 25 yards out - but he was denied as Nash cleared.

Chances came quick and fast in the next few minutes for Roy Keane's side, with Dwight Yorke and Daryl Murphy both close to getting onto the scoresheet.

But after 15 minutes Sunderland defender Steven Caldwell was injured and replaced by Lewin Nyatanga.

Despite the home side's dominant first-half showing, Preston never gave up and Danny Pugh's inswinging corner after 22 minutes went close but was too strong and went past the far post.

Murphy missed a good chance to put the home side ahead on the half-hour mark with a nicely-positioned header on the edge of the area.

Ross Wallace set Murphy up with a cross, but the Black Cats striker headed past the right-hand goalpost.

But it was Nugent who put Preston ahead 10 minutes before the break.

Ormerod set up the Lilywhites striker from the left and Nugent headed home.

Sunderland manager Keane made a tactical substitution at the start of the second half, taking off Yorke for Republic of Ireland striker Stephen Elliott.

Both sides began well and it was not long before Preston were pushing for a second goal.

Defender Pugh's effort within seven minutes of the restart was on target to double the lead, but quick thinking and a good catch by Darren Ward denied him.

And the Black Cats were looking for an equaliser a minute later.

This time it was Wallace taking two chances in quick succession for the home side, but his left-footed shot was saved by Preston stopper Carlo Nash, and his second attempt went wide.

Then on the hour mark goalscorer Nugent came close again for Preston.

Chris Sedgwick's inswinging corner found Nugent, who had a shot on goal from the edge of the area, but Nosworthy cleared.

The Black Cats, still determined to get something out of the game, were fighting for a goal, which Grant Leadbitter almost claimed with 20 minutes to go.

The Sunderland midfielder had a shot on target cleared by Callum Davidson, before his resulting corner forced Alexander to act - but came to nothing.

Substitutes Chris Brown and Elliott both put Nash to the test within the dying minutes but were unable to break the deadlock.

Teams:

Sunderland Ward, Whitehead, Caldwell (Nyatanga 16), Varga,Nosworthy, Miller, Yorke (Stephen Elliott 46), Leadbitter,Wallace (Brown 67), Murphy, Connolly.

Subs Not Used: Fulop, Hysen.

Preston Nash, Alexander, St. Ledger, Chilvers, Hill, Sedgwick,Miller, Davidson, Pugh, Ormerod (Anyinsah 81),Nugent (Lewis Neal 90).

Subs Not Used: Lonergan, Wilson, McGrail.

Goals: Nugent 36.

Att: 30,460

Ref: C Foy (Merseyside).