PRESTON beat Crewe 2-1 last Friday to sneak up -- for a day -- into fourth place in the First Division.

But, while it was a comfortable enough performance, it was far from convincing.

Preston are knocking up the points but they aren't putting in many really convincing performances and it would only have taken a spot of bad luck in several of their recent wins to turn the tables.

Against Crewe, struggling in the lower reaches, they got off to a flier when Michael Appleton produced a rocket of a shot on 11 minutes.

It was a fine solo effort. He picked the ball up on the half way line took iton as the Crewe defence retreated and then, from 25 yards, hit a barnstorming shot that flew high into the top corner, leaving Jason Kearton only a spectator.

Crewe came close to an equaliser when Sean Smith's angled shot just cleared the crossbar, but the Preston response was a powerful shot from Iain Anderson which Kearton saved brilliantly.

Preston went close to a second goal when Kenny Lunt cleared Colin Murdock's close-range shot off the line and immediately Crewe got back on level terms. Cramb crossed from the right, the ball took a deflection into the path of Mark Rivers and he had the ball in the net in a flash.

Preston battled for the lead and Ryan Kidd had a shot blocked and then Erik Meijer was only a fraction away from netting Jon Macken's cross as Crewe held on to the 1-1 interval scoreline.

In the second half, Crewe came under constant pressure, with both Appelton and Meijer missing chances and good saves from Jason Kearton from Macken keeping the scoreline level.

Iain Anderson put in a great run creating a deflection for a corner and from the flag Meijer was only inches from putting North End in the lead.

Crewe eventually started to crack. On 73 minutes Graham Alexander played a powerful shot from the right and in a box packed with players Mark Rankine smashed the ball home.

Said David Moyes:"It was a cracker of a goal from Appelton and it's good that Rankine is on the scoresheet."

Another three points - but Preston fans must be more than a bit worried. These narrow wins can't go on for ever? Or can they? Watford on Saturday will be the big test.