Charlton started the brighter team with Jonjo Shelvey having a corner saved after two minutes and a minute later Richard Chaplow had an 18-yard shot tipped wide by Charlton keeper Nicky Weaver.
Weaver saved again from Barry Nicholson, Chaplow and Neil Mellor.
Charlton were awarded a penalty in the 18th minute when Youl Mawene fouled Luke Varney and Andy Gray hit a right-foot penalty into the keeper's bottom right-hand corner.
Weaver saved a header from Nicholson and another header by Mellor, before Billy Jones had an effort saved and then Sean St Ledger hit the post with a 12-yard left-foot shot.
Addicks winger Hameur Bouazza forced a save from the Preston keeper before Lilywhites man-of-the-match Neil Mellor hit an 18-yard shot which Weaver caught, just before half-time.
Charlton's best player, Weaver, made four saves from Mellor, Chris Sedgwick, Michael Hart and Mellor again.
Preston equalised in the 58th minute when a left-wing assist by Sedgwick found Mellor and he hit a six-yard right-foot shot high into the roof of the net for his third goal of the season.
The Preston keeper saved from Darren Ambrose and tipped a Mark Hudson effort over the bar, before Preston made it 2-1 in the 66th minute.
Barry Nicholson, six yards out, hit a loose ball right-footed low in the centre of the goal from the right-side of the penalty area.
Weaver saved from Nicholson and Andy Lonergan saved from Luke Varney, Bouazza and Grant Basey.
Weaver pulled off some great saves right at the end from Sedgwick, Mellor and substitute Darren Carter to ensure victory.