DAVID Eyres showed all the graces as he knocked in two unanswered goals to maintain North End's unbeaten league record away from Deepdale, as Preston cruised into second place behind Wigan Athletic.

Preston played within themselves, stroking the ball around the park with some lovely football, and Luton struggled to get into the match.

Yet it was the Kenilworth Road side that had the first real chance when Matt Spring played a lovely through ball to release Paul McLaren into the box, looking a certain scorer.

Just as he was about to shoot, Eyres got in a fine tackle to clear the danger and that was the Preston springboard to victory.

On 32 minutes Kurt Nogan put over a searching cross to the back post for Lee Cartwright to climb high and head the ball across goal.

In stormed Eyres in a race for the ball with the keeper and the Preston man got there first to steer the ball into the net.

Then, on the stroke of half-time, Preston wrapped it all up.

Alexander found Jon Macken out on the right, he played the ball to Sean Gregan and the Preston skipper hit over a perfect cross which Eyres met with a flying header to send the ball racing into the bottom corner of the net past Abbey.

The North End supporters cheered the players off the park at half-time, but anticipated Luton would come back at Preston in the second half.

It just never happened, as Preston took control of the middle of the park, the back four were in total command and if more goals were going to come it was Preston who would get them.

Eyres hit a stunning drive from Alexander's short corner but the ball took a wicked deflection away for a corner and then Eyres put over a high teasing cross which had the keeper in a panic as the ball dropped just under the bar before he clawed it out.

North End should have scored a third when Gregan's excellent pass put Nogan clear on the right of the box, he played in a neat low ball to the unmarked Macken but the Preston striker stroked the ball the wrong side of the post.

With ten minutes remaining Luton almost got back into the match when Taylor put over an excellent cross, in stormed Doherty with a free header at goal, but Tepi Moilanen made a fine save.

Had that gone in, it may have inspired Luton in the closing minutes but Preston just closed the game down and took the points.

Preston are now unbeaten in the last twelve league matches, a very impressive run and they will now try to extend that run when they take on Bury at Gigg Lane in the Lancashire Derby on Saturday.

Man of the match. . . .who else, but David Eyres who was excellent in an all-round fine team performance.

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