SHOCKING defending by North End saw them concede two late goals as they sank to a disastrous home defeat to the Londoners after being 3-1 in front.

Pawel Abbott and David Healy replaced Fuller and Cresswell in the forward line and they each posed problems for the Dons defence.

The hard working Abbott's efforts paid off after just 11 minutes when visiting defender Mikele Leigertwood deflected his shot into the goal.

This seemed to sting Wimbledon into life and McAnuff forced a smart save from David Lucas before David Connolly equalised with a fine solo effort.

But North End replied immediately when Paul McKenna collected a Dickson Etuhu pass to fire home from 20 yards. A Graham Alexander penalty saw North End extend their lead on 56 miniutes following a foul on Pawel Abbott.

Preston continued to pile forward and Healy should have done better with McKenna's cross but shot just wide.

But it all started to go wrong for the Whites after Etuhu bundled McAnuff to the ground and Connolly made no mistake with the resulting penalty on 63 minutes.

Eight minutes later McAnuff latched on to Nigel Reo-Coker's pass and raced clear to slot the equaliser past Lucas.

McAnuff then put Wimbledon in front before Reo-Coker completed the misery with his team's fifth in injury time. The final score was Preston NE 3 Wimbledon 5.