PNE brought new meaning to the phrase 'a game with two halves' with a second period performance which left fans wondering: "What did Brown say at half-time?"

After dominating throughout the opening 45 minutes, Preston collapsed in the second half, letting a Bradford side who looked remarkably second-class throughout in to snatch victory.

Preston powered into the lead after 10 minutes when Ricard Fuller bashed a powerful header at goal from an equally powerful cross from Eddie Lewis on the left flank.

Despite Preston's obvious superiority in the first half they failed to convert more chances than they probably want to remember, and Michael Jackson's header, which was comfortably saved by Combe, was the closest they came to doubling the advantage before Alexander nodded over the crossbar.

Initally, North End continued to look comfortable in the second half, then the much-boasted about five-man midfield just fell asleep, leaving the three-man defence woefully exposed.

And stand-in keeper David Lucas can shoulder some of the blame for the equaliser when he only managed to parry Dean Windass' header from a Paul Heckingbottom free-kick. Michael Branch was on hand to drive the ball home.

All of a sudden, heads dropped and North End were on the back foot. Any possible mistake to make, they did. And on 72 minutes, Windass exposed Marlon Broomes on the right wing, sending in a cross which Nicky Summerbee gratefully rallied past Lucas.

The misery for North End - and the fans - wasn't over yet. Graham Alexander was sent off for a second bookable offence and five minutes before the end, virtually every player on the field ended up in a brawl triggered by Branch and Preston's Michael Keane.

Even Craig Brown had to wade in to pull the players apart. Brown, who possibly had the best view of the incident, described it as a 'bit of a melee' but both Keane and Branch should consider themselves lucky they didn't more than a yellow card each.

At the final whistle, the North End fans booed the players off the field. Craig Brown said he thought the boos were aimed at the referee. Only time will tell if he is right.

BRADFORD 2 - PNE 1