Cameron Archer netted the game's only goal in the 80th minute, curling a left-foot shot into the top corner from 12 yards.
It was an untidy game played in windy conditions, North End eventually finding a way to put three valuable points on the board.
Archer scored for the second successive away game following his winner at Hull City the week before.
The win edged Ryan Lowe's side up to 11th place, with them four points off Middlesbrough who occupy the last play-off place.
Here are the PNE player ratings.
Archer scored for the second successive away game following his winner at Hull City the week before.