Irvine made changes from the Cup defeat against Spurs with Mellor and Brown starting up front. Preston played their crisp attacking game creating chances. They should have taken the lead early on when Jones did some good work down the right laying the ball off to Chaplow. With the goal gaping the ball was slightly behind him and he blasted over.
Both sides had opportunities with Leicester forcing Lonergan into a good save before Preston took the lead through Neil Mellor. The home side failed to clrear their lines and the ball ended up at the feet of Mellor who stroked home from the edge of the box just before the break.
Preston then took control in the second half creating several chances but only managing to convert one on the break from a Leicester corner. Mellor ran the length of the field before squaring to Chaplow who could not miss this time.
The visitors could have had more but wasted chances before the visitors scored on the stroke of full time making it a nervous wait before the final whistle.