Preston moved into the First Division play-off zone with a comfortable 2-0 win
over Wolves at Deepdale.
Paul McKenna's 43rd-minute thunderbolt sent David Moyes' men on the way to
their sixth win in eight games.
Leicester on-loan signing Richard Cresswell then made an immediate impression
only five minutes after coming on for his debut as he coolly added a second late
on.
The three points lifted North End above Nottingham Forest and Watford, who
both lost last night, into sixth place and the final play-off spot.
Wolves' third defeat in four suggests, however that David Jones' honeymoon
period may be over - but the midlanders will be disappointed not to have found
the net at least once.
Deepdale throbbed on a night the Lancastrians bid a sad farewell to their
97-year-old Town End stand.
But there was little for the neutral to cheer in an opening half hour
dominated by midfield tussle and tight defence.
Lee Cartwright's 20-yard strike after 21 minutes was the closest either side
got to goal in that period, with Wolves goalkeeper Michael Oakes efficiently
palming the effort round the post.
The visitors suffered an early setback with the loss of Tony Dinning after 32
minutes following a challenge from Sean Gregan.
Life finally flowed into the game just before the interval as first Michael
Branch's deft chip was cleared from under the bar by Michael Jackson.
Then almost immediately at the other end ex-Wanderer Mark Rankine released
McKenna and the 23-year-old unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner
from 18 yards.
After the break Wolves pressed for an equaliser and on the hour should perhaps
have levelled, but after George Ndah's pass Adam Proudlock hesitated when only
six yards out and the ball was scrambled clear.
Then 12 minutes later Proudlock was again the culprit in failing to convert an
inch-perfect pass from Ndah, again with the open net beckoning.
With 18 minutes remaining Moyes introduced Cresswell, a player he has been
chasing for some time and one who he hopes will sign permanently in the summer.
The 23-year-old striker could hardly have given his new manager more
justification for his optimism as five minutes later he exchanged passes with
Jon Macken before placing Preston's second goal inside Oakes' right-hand post.
The Town End roared on approval for a final time but the future looks
increasingly bright for Preston.
Teams
Preston: Moilanen, Alexander, Murdock, Jackson, Edwards,
Cartwright, Rankine, Gregan, McKenna, Healy (Cresswell 73),Macken.
Subs Not Used: Lucas, Kidd, Anderson, Gunnlaugsson.
Booked: Alexander.
Goals: McKenna 43, Cresswell 78.
Wolverhampton: Oakes, Muscat, Lescott, Butler, Naylor, Branch,
Dinning (Andrews 37), Robinson, Sinton (Camara 66), Proudlock, Ndah.
Subs Not Used: Roussel, Robert Taylor, Solly.
Booked: Proudlock, Andrews, Branch, Muscat.
Att: 15,457
Ref: S Mathieson (Stockport).
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