PRESTON climbed to within one place of the play-offs thanks to a Richard Creswell brace which sunk Rotherham.

The former Premiership striker proved that there can be life after Jon Macken as Preston picked up all three points.

It was a vital win - especially as, despite being in seventh place now, North End are still five points adrift of the promotion catflap they call the playoffs.

Richard Cresswell proved there is life after Jon Macken as his double brought Preston a hard-earned win over Rotherham.

Rotherham are a side yet to ensure their first division status for next season, so this game, in theory, should have been all about North End.

And had they taken their chances early on, it would have been.

First Cresswell crossed into the Millers' box, only for Mike Pollitt to waft the ball at David Healy, who returned a low shot which was smothered.

Then Rob Edwards' deflected shot led to a goalmouth scramble with both Healy and Dickson Etuhu failing to find the back of the net.

But it was Rotherham who missed the best chance of the game. Alan Lee only had to tap the ball into an empty net from 15 yards but somehow managed to send it wide.

The departure of injured keeper Pollitt may have helped North End. Replaced by Ian Gray, making his season's debut, North End stepped up a gear.

In first-half injury time Cresswell unexpectedly managed to get on the end of Edwards' corner, heading in from point-blank range with sub keeper Gray seemingly badly placed.

From nothing, however, came Rotherham's equaliser on 66 minutes.

John Mullin delivered a defence-splitting pass and Lee made up for his first half howler by finishing beyond David Lucas.

North End reclaimed their lead four minutes later.

Guy Branstan was rushed by Etuhu into playing the ball, it fell to Cresswell, who shot home a low, first time effort to give Preston three points.

Preston are nothing if not unpredicatable - but they are establishing themselves as late season specialists year after year after year.

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