PRESTON North End now are joint top of Division Two as North End extended their unbeaten run to 13 games with a 3-1 win over Bury.

Away to Bury, the result was never in doubt, only the margin of victory, and the Preston supporters loved almost every second of it all.

Preston hit Bury from the start and it came as no surprise when they took the lead on 24 minutes.

David Eyres placed a perfect corner kick to the far post, in stormed Michael Jackson to meet it with his head and the ball raced past Kenny into the back of the net and the celebrations of the former Bury defender matched that of the Preston fans.

Preston came at Bury looking to kill the match off even at this early stage and a terrific scramble in the Bury box saw Nogan, Cartwright and Rankine all go close to adding a second goal.

On 33 minutes Bury's already difficult task received a major blow when Darren Bullock fouled Graham Alexander, his second bookable offence, leaving the Shakers with just 10 men.

Preston capitalised, and despite a late scare, started the second half with a second goal.

Eyres again provided the corner kick which Bury failed to clear, letting in Sean Gregan, who crashed the ball high into the roof of the net.

Bury rallied, lifted their game and Ian Lawson gave them hope with a stunning 25-yard drive that crashed into the top corner of the net with Moilanen's leap to try to keep it out only of benefit to the photographers behind the goal.

Preston hit right back with an Eyres free kick that just cleared the crossbar before North End wrapped up the scoring and the points.

Former North End defender Dean Barrick played a simple ball back to his keeper who had all the time in the world to clear the ball upfield, but Jon Macken closed in on him, his clearance struck the Preston striker and rebounded off him into the net and that was that.

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