Sean Maguire gave PNE a second-minute lead but the Bluebirds swung the game in their favour after the break with goals from Mark McGuinness and substitute James Collins.
It was a second successive loss for North End, following-on from the 3-0 reverse at Nottingham Forest before the international break.
Here are the PNE player ratings from the clash, with Alan Browne our man on the match.
5. Tom Barkhuizen 5
Not his most affective game at right wing-back, struggled to get into the action as North End searched for a way back in. Photo: Rich Linley/Camerasport
6. Ali McCann 6
Had a decent first half in which he twice had shots at goal, one of them forcing the keeper into a save. Faded in the second half. Photo: Rich Linley/Camerasport
7. Ryan Ledson 5
Delivered the corner which led to PNE’s goal. The midfielder did okay in the first half but couldn’t make an impact in the second. Photo: Camerasport
8. Alan Browne 7
The skipper drove North End on in the first half and in the second tried to get them going again from a deeper position. Starman. Photo: Rich Linley/Camerasport