CRAIG BROWN has scotched talk of a late push for the play-offs - but his players aren't so sure!

Three wins on the bounce - including two away from home - have lifted the Lilywhites to 12th in Division One, and just nine points adrift of the play-offs.

But this weekend they face possibly one of the toughest tests of the season, away at high-flying Leicester, who have an eye on going straight back up to the Premiership as Division One champions.

For players like Eddie Lewis, North End's American winger who has become a key part of the team since his switch from Fulham, it is a case of just focusing on the next game.

However, with 15 points from 18 recently - the fest run since 2001 - the players aren't counting themselves out just yet.

Lewis said: "If we continue to show really sterong form, finish out the season well but come up short, then the guys are going to be very disappointed.

"It is probably a bit niave to say it is anything other than too little, too late. We have probably left it a bit late but if we don't have anything to show for it at the end of the season, we will be gutted.

"All we can do is take each game as it comes but it is only a small gap between the play-offs and the teams behind those places. Perhaps it is a bit too late for us but I think there will be some surprises in the end, and maybe it will be us, who knows?"

But Brown said: "I think people would say I was a nutter to say we'll make the play-offs now.

"All we do is work towards each game and do the best we can. If it works, it works.

"We will try but to be honest I think we have left it a bit late."

Saturday's win over Derby was one of the most impressive at Deepdale so far this season, mainly for the fact North End took their chances well.

Brown was not critical of the fact his players conceded two late goals, but will be urging them not to be so careless against Leicester.

The Foxes have drawn three on the bounce and a victory over Preston in the televised match could see them go top of the table.

For Preston, a win could, at best, take them eighth in the division.