A DISASTEROUS defending debacle early in the first half meant North End had to play that familar role again - fighting to take anything from the game.

It is the way they have had to play four of their last five games now, but each and every time they have managed to claw at least a point back from the match.

Today, however, was different.

And as a result of today's performance, manager David Moyes has a tricky dilemma to ponder - who to pick up front.

For the second game running, Richard Cresswell started, in for the injured Jon Macken. And, like in four of his previous five appearances, he bagged a goal which played Preston back into the game.

If football were a fair game, North End would have been two goals to the good by the time the high-flying Eagles scored.

Creswell, who surpassed all previous performances with a fantastic effort up front, was nearly on the scoresheet after 30 seconds when he hit a shot which had been floated in from the right. It went inches wide.

David Healy went wide with a ball from a Colin Murdock/Graham Alexander set piece on four minutes before Creswell headed over on seven.

Mark Rankine had a powerful shot blocked by the keeper. Anyone who was by now thinking this wasn't going to be PNE's day had their fears confirmed as Palace immediatley hit back.

Tommy Black sent a long-range pass up field, stranding most of the North End defence somewhere near the centre circle. The ball skimmed the head of Lee Cartwright and fell to Dougie Freedman.

Despite being taken on by two North End players, he still managed to unleash a shot past David Lucas to score totally against the run of play.

Many times before we've seen the heads of the North End player's drop at such misfortune. But they are a fitter, strong, more moiture side who don't let something like one bad mistake or even bad luck stand in their way.

David Lucas blocked a shot from Jovan Kirovski before shot Creswell's was blocked by Matt Clarke at full stretch.

Paul McKenna and Creswell again had chances to level, thanks to some excellent work in the midfield, but were just a few inches out.

With such silky skills, accurate passing and total domination from the North End midfield, marshalled by skipper Sean Gregan, it was only a matter of time before Preston scored.

They did, on 51 minutes. But not before Clinton Morrison had put the ball past Lucas in the opening seconds of the second half only to be told he was off side.

No surprises that it was Cresswell who did the damage in revenge.

Graham Alexander's free-kick was flicked on by Gregan before Cresswell rose to head it straight into goal.

Preston weren't done yet. They kept pushing, even Gregan tried his hand at a goal - and only just went over.

Mckenna had another smooth shot from 20 yards - this time going straight to Clarke whose outrageous time wasting had annoyed all in the ground.

But it was his equally appalling grab at Cresswell's legs which led to North End winning.

On 79 minutes, Cresswell sent in a shot which hit the keeper. Clarke failed to hold the ball and, having collided with Cresswell, he then grabbed his leg to stop him chasing the ball.

The referee made his only correct decision of the game by awarding the penalty, which Graham Alexander duely converted - his second in two games.

Good work from Lucas kept the points for North End when he halted Freedman's effort seven minutes from time.

A late appearance from Steve Basham pleased a crowd who know they are watching a team far superior and far more confident than that of last year.

It was just a sad pity that a team like Palace, doing so well in the league, have to resort to petty time-wasting and niggly challenges in a game like this.

But when their(ex?) manager is currently squaring up club bosses in the courts, perhaps it is to be expected. They didn't play fair.

PNE 2

(Cresswell, Alexander)

CRYSTAL PALACE 1

(Freedman)