Hearts who finished second in the league are looking forward to a Champions League qualifiying match and looked slightly ahead of North End in terms of preparation.
Hearts scored two goals in the first twenty minutes, the first a mistake from Childers letting the away side beat the offside trap and slotting past Lonergan. The second follwed minutes later as North End were slow to react in the box and once again Lonergan was left helpless.
Whaley then created a chance for himself before stabbing home just before the half hour mark. Nugent also looked threatening and Danny Pugh playing on the left wing looked solid.
Carlo Nash came on for his first appearance in the second half and made one very good save but that apart he had very little to do. North End pressed forward with Hibbert coming on but looking ineffective. Agyemang as a second half sub used his pace but lack of skill prevented him from finding the equaliser.
North End looked good going forward but just couldn't find the killer touch. Simpson will be looking to bring in a striker before the season starts in three weeks time. Individual mistakes at the back cost Preston dear today but lessons need to be learnt quickly by the youngsters if Preston are to be any kind of force this season.
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