It was an open game and Priskin had two further opporunities to bury the game ealry on. Both were one on one situations with the keeper making a good save on the first occassion whilst the second was rebounded out off the keeper only for Brown t blast wide.
Blake blasted over a gilt edged chance for the visitors but they were level before half time as the ball landed at the feet of O'Connor who shot through a mass of players fromt he edge of the box. Lonergan dived late and somewhat fumbled the ball into the back of the net.
The Whites did not give up and re-took the lead int he second half as Burnley failed to clear a corner. There was a scaramble in the box before chris Brown stabbed home fron close range.
The visitors ended with ten men as ex-Blackpool man Carlisle was asked to play up front int he dying minutes. He lunged with stoods raised and the referee showed red.
Preston now sit six points above the drop zone with six games remaining and three of them at home. Irvine initially set his side a target of 53 points to survive and with the Preston having won all home games bar one since the turn of the year Preston now look as if they may well survive the drop thanks to recent good form.