Sean St Ledger was the hero for Preston as they sneaked into the play-off places with a 2-1 victory at home to QPR.

The defender was on hand to nod home the winner in the 74th minute after Jon Parkin's tremendous long throw had been flicked on by substitute Chris Brown.

Preston's win, coupled with Cardiff's 1-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, saw the Lilywhites move above their Welsh rivals on goals scored and claim sixth position in the table behind fellow Lancashire side Burnley, who thrashed Bristol City 4-0.

Parkin had earlier put the hosts ahead seven minutes before the interval when he seized on a weak backpass from Kaspars Gorkss before rounding Radek Cerny and slotting home from a tight angle.

However, former Lilywhites striker Patrick Agyemang struck in the 57th minute to pull Rangers level, latching onto a neat through ball from strike partner Rowan Vine before sliding the ball home.

North End will now face Sheffield United in the play-offs after the Blades were denied an automatic promotion place following their goalless draw with Crystal Palace.