NEW striker David Reeves and Gary Bennett spearheaded a half million pound attack and in the early stages Preston played the ball around the park in confident style.

Kilbane and Brown hugged the touchlines and both put pressure on the Shrewsbury defence with sparkling runs, but it was the same story, a failure to put the ball into the net.

Shrewsbury looked sharp on the break from defence and only the excellence of Bobby Mimms in the Preston goal prevented them going in front when he kept out a spectacular overhead kick from Stevens at full stretch.

Bryson and Kidd went close for Preston but the scoreline remained goalless at the interval.

Two minutes into the second half the game exploded into action.

David Reeves won the ball out on the right, he shook off the challenge of Antrobus and raced into the box to play in a nice ball to Bennett.

The Preston striker looked to have a simple tap in, but Seabury, in trying to kick clear could only shoot high into the top of his own net and Deepdale was a cauldron of noise.

Gary Bennett had the chance to make it 2-0 but shot wide with only the keeper to beat and at just 1-0 Shrewsbury looked likely to get back into the match.

Then, with 15 minutes to go, Preston got a second.

Kevin Kilbane drilled in a free kick into a crowded area, up popped the blond head of Reeves and his glancing header beat the diving Paul Edwards, hit the inside of the far post and went in, and the Preston number nine went on a run of celebration to the Tom Finney stand.

The jubilation was put on ice two minutes later when Stevens netted for Shrewsbury and thoughts of Peterborough haunted the minds of the Preston fans.

Gary Bennett missed a golden opportunity to wrap it all up for North End, but only six yards out, with the goal at his mercy, he shot into the kop instead of the net.

Shrewsbury rallied in the closing minutes as they tried to force an equaliser, but Ryan Kidd and company kept the visitors out.

This victory went some way to lifting the spirits of the Preston supporters who arrived at Deepdale on the back of seven consecutive away defeats.

It lifts Preston to third from bottom of the division and gives them hope of ending the poor away run when they make the long trip to Gillingham on Saturday.

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