Grayson made two changes from the midweek cup win at Rochdale with Graner replacing Kevin Davies as expected. The other changed was enforced with Andy Little replaced by Chris Humphrey due to a muscle strain and the Jamaican took his chance with both hands.
Preston stuck to the 4-3-3/4-5-1 formationw ith Humphrey slotting in on the flank in place of Little but Preston could have been behind early in the game.
Bailey Wright failed to get the ball under control and as he tried to clear Madden gained possession and was through on goal. Undre pressure the striker hit the bar and Preston were let off.
North End came into the game and stamped their authority. Humphrey beat his man on the right wing before putting in a cross for Garner who could not miss with virtually an open net in front of him.
The lead was doubled before the break when Humphrey crossed again. This time the ball did not reach Graner but was defelcted in at the near post by Llera.
The visitors appeared to be in control and shortly after the break the game was over when Humphrey having probably his best performance in a Preston shirt cut in from the right to curl a left footed shot past the home keeper to make it three.
Both sides then hit the woodwork in the second half and Pretson keeper Jones was seen flapping a number of times at crosses and shots but the home side did not come close to scoring.
The visitors rounded off the scoring when a Brownhill cross was nodded down at the back post for Garner to tap in for his second of the game.