JON Macken found his scoring touch to bag his first league goal since October as North End clambered up to within three points of the play-off zone.

But the star of the night was midfield powerhouse Dickson Etuhu, who not only proved capable of running the centre of the field, but was also spot on for North End's opening goal.

Pouring rain had threatened to turn this match into a battle against the weather, but against expectations, North End managed to open the scoring after just 16 minutes.

Graham Alexander sent in a corner which was nodded in by Etuhu at the near post.

Eight minutes later, Macken found himself in space and unleashed a 10-yard drive which slid underneath the body of keeper Paul Heald.

North End then unveiled new signing Paul Reid as Sean Gregan, again filling in the defence, came off with what appeared to be an injured foot.

As the weather got worse, mistakes began to be made and Graham Alexander let in Alan Quinn, who struck from a tight angle to temporarily make the game a contest.

They should have pulled level early in the second half, and would have done had Matt Hanshaw's volley not flown across the face of goal instead of past Tepi.

The Finnish keeper pulled off a fine save when he tipped over Efan Ekoku's shot from point blank range.

Preston reclaimed their two goal lead as Alexander again proved provider, setting up Reid with an inswinger from the right. The loan star headed down from close range on 66 minutes.

And Etuhu, who seemed unbeatable in midfield and seems to be proving once again that manager David Moyes has an uncanny eye for an unlikely bargain, helped make it four on 67 minutes by breaking through and setting up substitute David Healy, on for Iain Anderson.

Skipper TronD-Egil Soltveldt was upended in the North End penalty area with four minutes to go, and Ekoku scored from the resulting penalty.

Preston North End 4

Etuhu, Macken, Reid, Healy

Sheffield Wednesday 2

Quinn, Ekoku (pen)