Mellor fired home from the penalty spot on 77 minutes after being tripped in the box before Hill scored a rare goal in the final minute, heading home a Joe Anyinsah cross.

Manager Alan Irvine handed a debut to winger Ross Wallace, signed on a season long loan deal from Sunderland on Thursday.

And the winger went close for North End a couple of minutes before half time heading over Simon Whaley's cross.

Preston had made a bright start to their final pre-season friendly with striker Neil Mellor having a shot blocked in ninth minute before Sean Miller blazed wide of Andrew Lonergan's goal 60 seconds later.

At the other end, Simon Whaley fired over after another promising North End opening before Crewe skipper Julien Baudet had a goal chalked-out for offside.

Crewe dominated the early stages of the second period with Andrew Lonergan saving a couple of efforts from the dangerous Miller.

But North End forged ahead in the 77th minute when Chris McCready upended Mellor in front of goal.

Last season's top scorer made no mistake from the penalty spot as Preston grabbed the lead.

Lonergan was called on again to preserve North End's lead, producing a smart save from sub Anthony Elding six minutes from time.

But Hill wrapped the game up for Preston, heading home in the final minute.

>> Nicholls released by North End

PNE: Lonergan, Hart, Hill, Jones, Mawene, Carter, Anyinsah, Jarrett, Mellor, Whaley, Wallace. Subs: Nicholson, McKenna, Ormerod, Davidson, St Ledger, Hawley, Sedgwick, Lewis Neal, Richard Chaplow.

Crewe: Collis, Woodards, Jones, McCready, Bopp, Baudet, Bailey, O'Connor, Miller, Zola, Grant. Subs: O'Donnell, Rix, Legzdins, Abbey, Moore, Pope, Schumacher, Clements, Elding.

Don't forget to pick up a copy of the Lancashire Evening Post on Monday for a full report and match reaction.