In the first game post Irvine era Preston saw what League One football was like and they took a dislike to it by dispatching seven past a hapless Colchester. Carter came in to start in midfield with Nolan at right back as St Ledger returned to Deepdale.
The first quarter was fairly even with Colchester restricted to long range efforts but once the first goal went in North End did not look back. Brown rose highest from a Wallace corner to nod home. Soon after a well worked move saw a Sedgewick shot deflected past the keeper to double Preston's lead.
Two nil is always a dangerous score at half time but within five minutes that theory was put to bed. Parkin was put through just after the break to stroke home under the keeper to put the game beyond doubt. A minute later Parkin was putrough again but this time lobbing the keeper.
Brown then scored Preston's fifth with barely five minutes of the half gone. Carter was then put through after a good run to score under the keeper. Brown thought he had scored Preston's seventh but the whistle had gone for a trip on the box on Parkin. THe Beast stepped up to slot home the penalty and complete his hat trick.
Mellor and Elliot then came on but could not add to the score with twenty minutes remaining. THe only downside was that Wallace injured himself in the last ten minutes but played on as all substitutes had been used.