The Lancashire derby was watched by a crowd of 16,149 who saw Preston take a fifth-minute lead when Simon Whaley's left-wing cross was side-footed home by Tamas Priskin.
The Hungary international, who is currently on loan at Deepdale from Watford, fired a 20-yard right-footed shot into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
Chris Brown almost added a second goal only for Brian Jensen to save his header while at the other end Wade Elliott had a shot saved by Andy Lonergan's legs.
Ex-Preston player but now Burnley captain, Graham Alexander, was booked for a foul on Whaley while Robbie Blake saw his 20-yard shot tipped over the bar for a corner.
James O'Connor was booked for a foul on Billy Jones before Priskin was sent clear by Youl Mawene but Jensen turned his shot away for a corner.
The Clarets grabbed an equaliser seven minutes before half-time when O'Connor's 25-yard volley crept in to the net with Lonergan unsighted.
Just before half-time Mawene pulled back Ade Akinbiyi and was shown the yellow card.
Burnley's Steven Caldwell replaced David Unsworth at the start of the second half but, in the 54th minute, Preston made it 2-1 when Paul McKenna played a one-two with Darren Carter at a left-wing corner.
The visitors failed to clear the ball properly and a goalmouth scramble ended with Brown firing home from close range.
Burnley brought on Andrew Cole for Kyle Lafferty while Neil Mellor replaced Priskin for the hosts.
In the closing stages, Owen Coyle replaced O'Connor with Joey Gudjonsson while, just before full-time, Clarke Carlisle was shown a straight red card for a lunge on Sean St Ledger and Blake was booked for dissent.