Burnley had the first chance of the game in the first five minutes as Preston switched off allowing Blake to shoot past Lonergan. The ball was stopped on the line from Hill as the home fans screamed for a penalty as they thought Hill had handled.
Preston came into the game playing some smart football which has improved drastically under Irvine. Mellor looked lively but a strange refereeing decision saw the ex-Liverpool man adjudged to have fouled a defender as Preston broke. From the resulting free kick Preston switched off and Lafferty was free to head past Lonergan at the far post.
Preston continued to play football with Mellor forcing a save. Gallagher looked lively bringing players into the game and just before half time St Ledger went on a waltzing run forward. He created space, played the ball out left where a cross came in for Sedgewick, unmarked to slot home.
Mckenna went off injured at the start of the second half and he was replaced by Carter. Preston looked good and Gallagher was pulling the strings. Mellor was put through beating the ageing Burnley defence to slot cooly past the advancing keeper.
Preston looked to be in control as Preston left Mccan unmarked after a neat move by the home side. Carter could not catch him as he slotted past Lonergan.
The match then descended into chaos as Chris Mccann leapt of the ground into a two footed tackle over the ball on St Ledger. The Burnley player was dismissed and a melee ensued.
Preston then worked the ball around and took advantage over the ten men. The substitute board went up for Lewis Neal to replace Whaley. The winger did not go off due to some confusion. Thirty seconds later Whaley's shot from twenty yards out nestled in the bottom corner.
Burnley tried to come forward but Preston should have had more on the break with sub Hawley failing to convert. Mellor was fouled late on and Gujohnsonn was sent off for stamping on the forward who wa slewd on the ground. Preston secured the win and now hope to boost themselves up the table.