BLOOD, sweat and tears have put Preston seven points clear at the top of Division Two -- and even manager David Moyes admits there are now "realistic hopes of promotion," writes DANY ROBSON.

The blood was of goal scorer Michael Jackson who, after hooking the ball home on 18 minutes, broke his nose in a second half challenge.

"He was like Terry Butcher," said Moyes as his defender ended the game with his white shirt covered in blood.

The sweat was for all the side -- the teamwork, as Moyes said.

"It was a better team performance than in recent weeks," admitted the Scot.

"We got what mattered -- the goal -- and defended very well but were also a threat on the break. Everyone really worked their socks off." And the tears were for skipper Sean Gregan who came off the pitch in agony with a back injury in the second half -- and Preston won't want to lose him for the last six games of the season.

"He is hobbling quite badly," admitted Moyes. "But he always seems to pull through. He is determined, he's captain of the team, we're top of the league, and he will want to play every game.

It was a competitive Lancashire derby-- with six bookings -- played in front of Wigan's biggest ever crowd, 15,593.

Preston got the winner when Rob Edwards' cross was only half cleared by Wigan's Neil Roberts and "Jacko" hooked the ball into the top of the net, beyond Latics keeper Roy Carroll. His Deepdale counterpart,Teuvo Moilanen, kept Preston in the game pulling off two oustanding saves just before half time from Simon Haworth, in a one-on-one, and finger-tipping over an Arian De Zeeuw header.

Iain Anderson and Jon Macken had chances to make it more convincing for Preston -- but one was enough for the seven thousand travelling faithful who took great delight in chanting: "We are top of the League."

The scouts were there in number -- Man City's Joe Royle, Northern Ireland's Sammy McIlroy and contingents from Everton -- but Moyes will be keen to keep this winning side together as they begin preparations for what looks a certain Division One campaign next season.

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