Preston won a thrilling eight-goal Lancashire derby at Deepdale watched by almost 19,000 people.
Preston took the lead after 18 minutes with a great individual goal by Ricardo Fuller. He won the ball in his own half and beat David May and two other Burnley defenders before firing a ten-yard shot home.
Burnley equalised in the 23rd minute when Richard Chaplow's shot was saved and Ian Moore blasted the rebound home.
Preston made it 2-1 after an hour when Fuller crossed for Eddie Lewis, who despite being on his bottom, skidded round to score right-footed from two yards into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
Arthur Gnohere made it 2-2 after 64 minutes when he headed Robbie Blake's free-kick over everybody and into the net.
In the 66th minute ex-Manchester United defender May hit the crossbar with a seven-yard header from Blake's left-wing corner and two minutes later Preston keeper Jonathan Gould made the save of the match from Ian Moore's left-foot volley.
Fuller made it 3-2 in the 71st minute when David Healy's cross from the right was slammed right-footed into the top of the net.
The Clarets equalised for a third time when Marlon Broomes brought down Blake in the box and the Burnley star hit a right-footed penalty into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
Fuller scored his hat-trick, and his 14th goal of the season, in the 81st minute with a ten -yard left-foot shot after being set up by Pawel Abbott.
Preston sealed their 5-3 victory when man-of-the-match Fuller set up Healy who slotted a shot through the legs of Brian Jensen.