On Boxing Day, Preston were deservedly beaten by Huddesrfield who lie just below them in the table. It was simply Preston's worst performance of the season by a considerable distance.
Unlike away at Brentford and Wednesday there were no individual moments of panic which caused the defeat but a collective lack of effort and willingness meant Preston were lethargic throughout.
Hiddersfield are a side Preston should be taking points off. In the first half an hour the visitors had the better with a couple of half chances but the game changed before half time.
Clarke turned slower than a two tonne truck in a dead end. Huddersfiled were allowed a free reign and a simple cross found Wells who tapped in from close range.
The home side should have scored agains after the break but it wasn't long before a second was scored followed by a third. It could have been five or six but Pickford saved the visitors although he may have wished his red card from the Leeds game had not been rescinded.
Reach scored a late consolation but over 2,000 fans were treated to an absymnal performance after tarvelling to West Yprkshire through terrible weather conditions and flooding.
It was all change two days later at home to Hull as Welsh returned for Kilkenny to add some bite to midfield. Gallagher played better alongside someone who could break up the play.
Preston should have been three up before the half. Reach and Keane wasted chances with the latter continuing what has been an awful season in front of goal. Garner also missed a sitter from six yards out.
Everyone feared the worst for the second half but Preston took the lead from a well worked free kick which saw Gallagher slot home. Preston held on to the victory over promotion chasing Hull with some last ditch defending.