PRESTON set themselves up for a do or die battle against Coventry by failing to give relegation fighters Barnsley a going over.

Dean Gorre scored on his first start under Steve Parkin and Bruce Dyer added a second to give the Oakwell outfit a chance of surviving in the First.

But it was on-loan striker Clive Wijnhard who pulled one back for Preston - surely forcing Kelham O'Hanlon's hand into signing him permanently.

Once again, both sides seemed fidgety in the opening minutes, with Wijnhard having the only early chance, but he scuffed his shot wide from 20 yards.

Chris Lucketti then blocked Richard Naylor's volley but it was enough to spring the Tykes into life.

Naylor headed a freekick wide of the goal midway through the first half before Dean Gorre headed home Chris Barker's cross on 27 minutes.

Barnsley almost instantly could have doubled their lead when Gary Jones unleashed a shot, but Tepi Moilanen made a good block.

Michael Jackson, back from injury kickstarted North End's second half on 58 minutes when he headed Graham Alexander's corner over the cross bar - their first real chance of the second 45.

Barnsley made them pay though, when Dyer scored from close range.

On 69 minutes, Gareth Ainsworth's cross picked out Wijnhard, who scored with his head.

BARNSLEY 2

PNE 1