Neil Mellor helped Preston to a 3-1 win which should secure their Championship status and put an end 10-man Sheffield United's play-off hopes.Callum Davidson scored his fourth goal of the season from the penalty spot after 28 minutes and former Liverpool striker Mellor added a second shortly after the hour mark.

That ensured substitute James Beattie's late penalty was no more than consolation for the Blades, whose misery was complete when defender Chris Morgan was dismissed in the last minute.

There was still time for Mellor to claim his second in the last minute as North End moved on to 53 points and stretched their unbeaten run to six games - five of which have ended in victory - to finally kill off fears of relegation to League One.

When former Everton assistant boss Alan Irvine was appointed at Deepdale last November, Preston were languishing in the lower reaches of the Championship.

The Scot has since presided over a steady renaissance and his men began brightly against an equally in-form Blades outfit.

Kevin Blackwell's side arrived in Lancashire on the back of four straight wins but North End almost opened the scoring in the third minute.

Darren Carter delivered a corner from the right flank but striker Chris Brown headed wastefully over the crossbar.

Midfielder Carter then hit a shot over the bar in the sixth minute as United initially struggled to gain a foothold on proceedings.

Brown took aim again in the 10th minute when he drilled in a right-footed effort which drew a smart stop from Paddy Kenny.

United's best hope looked to be David Cotterill and he signalled his threat in the 15th minute when he fired wide from 20 yards.

But Preston took control when Matthew Kilgallon fouled Mellor and Davidson stepped up to fire home left-footed from 12 yards.

It was powerfully struck and gave Kenny no chance, while Kilgallon received a yellow card for his challenge on Mellor.

United sought a reply but midfielder Michael Tonge blazed over from distance.

Preston were dealt a blow at the break when goalscorer Davidson was forced off through injury and replaced by Matthew Hill.

United went close in the 49th minute after he collected possession from 35 yards and hit a right-footed shot which narrowly missed the left-hand post.

However, Mellor remained a menace for Preston and was unlucky to see his long-range effort similarly drift wide of a post.

Preston began to build momentum and they secured victory in the 63rd minute through Mellor.

He collected Chris Sedgwick's pass and rifled a right-footed shot into bottom corner for his sixth goal of the season.

United had chances to edge their way back into the game but Preston held firm.

James Beattie missed from just six yards and Billy Sharp saw a shot blocked by Youl Mawene - who then turned villain to hand United a lifeline.

Mawene fouled Morgan and Beattie finished from the penalty spot but Morgan was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Preston made their numerical advantage pay in the closing stages when Mellor rifled home his second from 12 yards.

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