Preston got back in the game before half time when Mawene headed home from a Nicholls free kick to stun the home crowd.
The lead lasted barely five minutes after the break when Hayes beat Lonergan from ten yards out after the keeper got a hand to the shot.
the match then livened up with a brawl ensuing and Carroll being sent off for kicking an opposition player whilst on the ground. Preston down to ten men battled but were always on the back foot.
lifeline was given when Jones was brought down in the box. Nicholls who appears to have been bestowed the penalty duties saw his shot saved and any resemblance of a point disappeared into the night.
Preston have now won 3 out of 15 games in all competitions losing 9 out of 10 away from home. Should the form continue at Cardiff then more pressure will fall on Paul Simpson. Preston remain firmly rooted in the bottom three only helped by the fact that Sheffield Wednesday and QPR sufered similarly poor results.