North End were below par for once this season as they went down to a second half Michael Smith penalty after Neil Kilkenny committed a foul inside the box. It is only Preston's fifth league defeat of the season and their third away from Deepdale.
Results elsewhere went against Preston and the task of a top two finish is now almost impossible with 8 games remaining as both Wolves and Brentford have a significant lead over Preston who dropped down to fifth as Rotherham overtook them.
Unless Preston collapse in the final 8 games they should make the play offs which is where they have been positioned for the majority of the season. Grayson will have to use the remainder of the season to get the players in form for the knockout matches if Preston are to have any chance of success.