Preston started the match well.Barkhuizen supported Hugill up front whilst Horgan and McGeady played ot wide. Clarke stayed at right back whilst Doyle continued alongside Huntington in the centre of defence.
Blackburn are in releagtion trouble with several other sides and Tony Mowbray was always going to set them up as hard to beat. The first goal was always going to be crucial and in a way it turned the game but not how many expected.
The home team sat back in numbers in their own half but Preston did manage to find an early breakthrough. Barkhuizen was played through and managed to slot home his fifth goal in the last four games.
The lead should have been doubled when Hugill broke. Barhuizen was clear to his left but the Hugill who has shrunk in the derby games this season, barring a goal off his backside against Wigan, failed to put through Barkhuizen.
It was almost as if Preston had thought the job was done by scoring early. The away team sat back and were overrun in midfield. Johnson was nowhere to be seen continuing a poor run of form whilst Pearson had an off game.
Blackburn threatened and hit the post from a header. A goal was coming and just beore the break the midfield applied no pressure on Bennett who shot from 30 yards out curling the ball into the corner.
Preston did not improve after the break and Blackburn crated chances to take the lead. Conway was the person to get his name on the scoresheet and Preston had no answer at that point.
Gallagher came off the bench and into midfield to replace Johnson. It was much needed and he will surely start centrally after the international break. His experence and vision swung the ascendency back to Preston.
North Endhad a goal ruled off for offisde when Huntington headed past the keeper late on and it seemed Preston would fall to a rare defeat after taking the lead until a dramaic finale.
Gallagher put through a supeb pass to Clarke in the box. The defender teed up McGeady who sloted home from inside the box for a rare close range shot.
The 6,000 travelling fans went into a mammoth celebration. Later results meant Preston now sit five points off the play off places although Norwich and Fulham stand above Preston.