It was mid-March the last time Preston played but their return to action followed a similar pattern to the rest of the season as they enjoyed much of the possession but lacked that killer instinct against a team struggling at the bottom of the table.
Neil mainatined his standard formation as Sean Maguire played as the lone striker with Sinclair and Barkhuizen playing out wide. Gallagher featured alongside Pearson in midfield.
The defence consisted of Hughes with Browne a surprise choice at right back. Bauer and Davies palyed in the middle but were rarely troubled along with Rudd who had little to do all afternoon.
North End are lucky to be in the top six with other sides failing to capitalise both before the break and over the first weekend back. Preston are comfortable with the ball in possession up to a point but lack any killer final ball and when they do open up a defence Maguire is not prolific enough to convert.
Preston controlled the game. Maguire had a couple of opportunities in the first half. One shot wide and another where he was slow to react when played through.
Just after the break Preston did take the lead when Sinclair was played in down the left. He ran into the box curling a shot past the keeper. In a full season he might just be the key to Preston's goalscoring problems.
Luton were rarely in the game. Pearson had a shot over but Preston failed to apply enough pressure to add a second and it was always a dangerous situation.
Substitutes were made and with just under five minutes remaining Mcmanaman was in space outside the box when he curled one into the bottom corner past Rudd who had no chance. It was Luton's only real attempt.
It was a disappointing result for Preston who would have envisaged taking three points at a struggling Luton to try to reboot their flagging season.
Instead Preston's poor run continues. They hold onto sixth place on goal difference to Cardiff who they face at Deepdale next Saturday. If Preston are to hold onto a top six spot then form will have to improve drastically as they face far better opposition than Luton.