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.

QPR almost pulled level three minutes after the interval as Patrick Agyemang's drilled shot deflected narrowly wide of Andy Lonergan's near post.

However, former Lilywhites striker Agyemang did strike in the 57th minute to equalise, latching onto a neat through ball from strike partner Rowan Vine before sliding the ball home.