The only action came when Billy Jones came off injured in the first half allowing young Eddie Nolan on as a replacement at full back.
The second half followed where the first left off with North End passing the ball but doing little with it whilst Doncaster looked ineffective all round the park albeit playing some nice football.
Irvine then decided to shove Nicholson and Parkin on in place of Brown and Sedgewick. The change worked with Wallace going out right providing a perfect cross for Parkin to head home from inside the box.
The result means Preston keep up with the play off contenders whilst entering a tricky festive period.