Strikers Neil Mellor and Jon Parkin grabbed the goals which gave Preston a 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in their Coca-Cola Championship clash.

Wednesday had enjoyed much the better of the opening period and were unfortunate not to earn at least a point from an entertaining clash.

Mellor put Preston ahead against the run of play in the 20th minute. The former Liverpool man met Eddie Nolan`s cross with a left-footed strike which deflected off Darren Purse before nestling in the bottom-right corner.

Wednesday responded well and were incredibly unlucky not to level in the 29th minute as Jermaine Johnson struck Andy Lonergan`s left-hand post with two shots in succession. Michael Gray did equalise nine minutes later with a sublime curling free-kick before the hosts hit the post yet again in first-half injury-time through Purse's volley.

Preston improved after the interval and edged ahead for a second time in the 55th minute as Parkin grabbed his fourth goal of the season - the burly forward side-footing home from close range after a neat cutback from strike partner Mellor.

Preston could have extended their advantage in the closing stages, with Mellor curling a shot narrowly wide of Lee Grant`s right-hand post and Darren Carter coming close with a volley from Ross Wallace`s corner. However, it mattered not as the visitors held on to claim a valuable three points.