The 28-year-old was airborne when volleying Robbie Brady’s delivery past Luton Town goalkeeper Ethan Horvath to open the scoring in the 18th minute.
And the Lilywhites, who have yet to concede a goal in three outings in the league this term, fought tooth and nail to cling on to a first success at Kenilworth Road since 1999.
North End — whose previous fixtures against Wigan Athletic and Hull City had finished goalless — climbed to seventh in the table ahead of their midweek meeting with Rotherham United at Deepdale.
Here are PNE reporter Tom Sandells’ player ratings.
North End — whose previous fixtures against Wigan Athletic and Hull City had finished goalless — climbed to seventh in the table ahead of their midweek meeting with Rotherham United at Deepdale.