Simon Grayson picked an unchanged starting eleven which proved dividends as the consistency has helped the team so far in his short reign. Preston's other decent run this season also came when the team selection was cosnsitent.
The game was over withint he first half an hour as Stevenage posed little threat and looked like the mid-table side that they were. Lee Holmes from the right hand edge of the box scored a beautiful left foot curler which went beyond the keeper.
Soon after Holmes was in on the act again as he crossed for Hayhurst to hit hom scoring his third in three games for North End. The wingers are now looking to be a vital part of Grayson's set up.
Preston should have increased their lead in the second half when King blasted over from close range amongst other half chances that fell for the Whites.
Stevenage had a five minute period when they looked like getting back in the game with two half chances but once they had been passed up the game fell into a lull until the final whistel was blown.
Preston moved furtehr away from the drop zone with this victory and are now unbeaten in four games. The challenge will be to maintain that unbeaten run with two tricky away fixtures coming up over the next week.