IN an exciting game at Deepdale Preston came from behind to secure a win and leapfrog over Palace in the First Division race.

But it was very nearly a case of pipped at the post as the Lillywhites were twice denied by the post and once by the crossbar.

Add to that the constant threat of Eagles striker Dougie Freedman on goal and it all added up to make a thrilling Deepdale recipe.

Scot Freedman put Palace in the driving seat, somewhat against the run of play, after 16 minutes.

Tommy Black's long-range pass skimmed the head of Lee Cartwright and, despite the attentions of two Preston players, Freedman had time and space to ram in his shot.

It was tough on Preston who had subjected the visitors to a barrage of attacks.

North End must have been cursing their luck when Mark Rankine's well drilled shot cannoned off the left post, then took a deflection off keeper Matt Clarke before going out.

After Freedman bagged his 14th of the season, Preston went in search of a quick equaliser only to be denied again by the upright - Richard Cresswell's looping cross coming off the left hand post.

The Eagles could have been two up by the break. Freedman showed some nifty footwork and powered a drive that had Preston panicking as it screamed across goal and eventually wide.

Comeback specialists Preston kept their unbeaten run intact when Graham Alexander's freekick was nodded on by Sean Gregan before Cresswell rose to head majestically straight into goal on 51 minutes.

Cresswell has now hit the net in four of the last five matches. In a thrilling contest Cresswell later hit the crossbar with a deceptive cross and Jovan Kirovski's teasing free kick had David Lucas stretched to block the danger.

Preston's winner came after Cresswell was adjudged to have been impeded by Clarke on 79 minutes.

Alexander buried the resulting penalty.

But seven minutes from time Freedman nearly levelled, his rifling effort being stopped by the legs of Lucas.

Preston... 2 Crystal Palace... 1