Karl Henry's goal extended Wolves' unbeaten run to six games as they claimed a narrow victory over Championship strugglers Preston.

Henry fired into the bottom-right corner from 25 yards after 55 minutes as Wanderers ground out a second successive 1-0 victory on home soil in three days.

Freddy Eastwood hit a post early after just three minutes for Mick McCarthy's promotion hopefuls, but they were matched by Alan Irvine's side for long spells.

McCarthy was able to restore fit-again midfielder Seyi Olofinjana to his starting line-up, while Ormerod, Liam Chilvers and Matthew Hills all came in for North End.

The home side began purposefully and Eastwood was inches away from opening the scoring when he connected with Darron Gibson's cross from six yards only to see it rebound off the post.

Wolves continued to put the visitors under pressure and Wales international Eastwood forced a smart save from Andy Lonergan with a well-struck shot from inside the area.

But Preston, who by contrast have now failed to win in their last six, demonstrated they were still capable of posing a threat when Wanderers goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was forced to push Simon Whaley's 20-yard drive around the post.

Hennessey has now kept clean sheets in Wolves' last five games and he was the busier of the two goalkeepers as the half progressed.

Callum Davidson threatened from close range and the visitors could count themselves unfortunate soon after when Brett Ormerod's header from the Scot's free-kick went narrowly wide.

Hennessey denied another long-rang Whaley effort before Karl Henry's 25-yard drive flashed past the right post shortly before the break.

The game was much improved in the second period with Eastwood again representing Wanderers' principal threat inside the area.

Paul McKenna and Chris Sedgwick both threatened for the visitors but it was not long before Wolves had opened the scoring courtesy of Henry.

Eastwood deserved much of the credit for a superb run down the left wing before finding the midfielder, and his low shot into the bottom corner did not disappoint.

McCarthy replaced Gibson with summer signing Matt Jarvis in the 58th minute and the former Gillingham winger almost made a telling contribution soon after when Neill Collins headed his outswinging corner just wide.

Irvine freshened up his attack by bringing on Neil Mellor for Ormerod with 25 minutes remaining and the ex-Liverpool forward soon had a chance to level the scores, but volleyed straight at Hennessey.

The Wales goalkeeper was again equal to another Davidson effort, this time from 25 yards, before Eastwood was replaced six minutes before the whistle by Darren Potter.

There was still time for the Lilywhites to create opportunities, but Whaley, Paul Gallagher and Andrew Carroll were all guilty of squandering good chances in the closing stages as Wanderers hung on.

Teams:

Wolverhampton Hennessey, Foley, Darren Ward, Collins, Gray,Olofinjana, Henry, Gibson (Jarvis 58), Stephen Ward,Elliott (Keogh 75), Eastwood (Potter 85).

Subs Not Used: Ikeme, Little.

Goals: Henry 55.

Preston Lonergan, St. Ledger, Mawene, Chilvers, Hill,Sedgwick (Gallagher 79), Davidson, McKenna, Whaley,Agyemang (Carroll 78), Ormerod (Mellor 65).

Subs Not Used: Chris Neal, Halls.

Booked: St. Ledger.

Att: 22,836

Ref: Andy D'Urso (Essex).