PRESTON boss David Moyes has called on the fans to become the team's number 12 as the push for the play-offs gathers momentum.

North End kept their Premiership hopes alive on Tuesday with a 1-0 victory over promotion rivals West Brom.

And Moyes knows only too well the role the fans can play in making sure that his team keep up their promotion challenge

He also knows that recent matches have seen a number of debatable refereeing decisions -- the prime example being against Grimsby.

And it is arguable that North End's FA Cup run ended in part because of a poor refereeing decision.

He said: "In recent weeks we have had very little in the way of decisions going for us from the match officials.

"When you go to the big clubs you very rarely get the 50/50 decisions going for you.

"I think referees decisions played a part in changing our games at Manchester City and Chelsea.

"So it is vital fans get behind us as we need every extra piece of help we can get to keep our play-off hopes alive."

This weekend Birmingham City arrive at Deepdale.

Between now and the end of the season, North End have to face Burnley, Coventry, Crystal Palace and Millwall -- all of whom want promotion.

Skipper Sean Gregan knows how important Tuesday's win was -- and how important another is on Saturday.

He said: "The play-offs are still a tall order but until it is mathematically impossible we have to keep trying.

"We have a massive amount to do and we need to rely on other teams slipping up as well.

"Tuesday was a big three points, not least because it means we can put last Friday behind us."

"It was a big boost for us because West Brom have one of the best defensive records in the country.

"We just have to go out and try and get three points from every game. We might as well get beat as draw."

Lee Cartwright should return on Saturday from injury, along with Graham Alexander.