Simon Grayson had to make changes with Pearson suspended and Johnson out with illness. Gallagher was moved into a central position alongside Browne. Horgan was given his first start on he wing with McGeady on the opposite flank.
The game was fairly even in the opening stages but it was Preston who broke the deadlock. Preston have quality in wide areas and Gallagher crossed a peach of a ball from a set piece into the box. Huntington was at the near post and managed to convert to give Preston the lead.
North End pressed forward but could not find the second before the break. Preston should have been awarded a penalty for a handball in the box but the referee was poor all afternoon. There were chances and it was a worry for the fans that Brighton, like Arsenal the week before, might come back strong.
Preston started the second half strong and knocked Brighton off their feet with a second goal. Horgan played a beauty of a long ball through to Robinson. The forward was being held back but instead of going down he ran through to convert left footed past the keeper.
Brighton threw everything at Preston including three substitutes. Clarke stopped a certain goal with a clearance but Brighton could not find a way through.
The visitors should have been down to ten men when Knockaert retaliated to a Cunningham tackle with a blow to the face. The referee booked cunningham but took no action against the Brighton player.
The visitors were awarded a penalty in injury time but Maxwell saved meaning Brighon's long unbeaten run was ended. It was a deserved victory for Preston.