The Lilywhites were ahead after just eight minutes, with ex-Denmark youth international Emil Riis opening the scoring, but a 35th-minute equalising goal from opposition star Keane Lewis-Potter was a sign of things to come, with Preston's opponents going 2-1 up on the hour mark, before scoring a further two goals late on.
Speaking after the game, Preston skipper Alan Browne said: “It was a dream start, it felt like what we thought it would going into it.
“We got the early goal, took the pressure right off us and then for whatever reason, we just folded after that. We let them get on top. It’s not like us, to be fair, but at half-time it was still 1-1. We tried to go for it in the second half and it backfired on us.
“The goal was something we’d been working on, getting players forward, getting into the box. With two strikers you’ve always got a chance and you’ll always get chances but after that goal it was just, ‘Let’s sit in and let them have it now’.
“That’s not the mind-set that we need to have. We need to keep piling pressure on and get the second and take the game to the opponents and we didn’t do that.”
Next up, the Frankie McAvoy's side will look to bounce back with a win tomorrow evening, when they travel to take on Mansfield Town in the first round of the Carabao Cup.
We’ve gathered the best of today’s transfer speculation below…
1. Hull winger set for exit
Hull City winger Thomas Mayer looks set to leave the club, last than a year after joining them. The Austrian made just six league appearances last season, and appears to be deemed surplus requirements at the MKM Stadium. (Hull Daily Mail) Photo: George Wood
2. Palmer switch could boost Blackpool
Blackpool's hopes of landing Nottingham Forest man Jordan Gabriel look to have been boosted, following news that Forest are after Sheffield Wednesday's Liam Palmer. Gabriel played a key role in the Tangerines' promotion last season with an impressive loan spell. (The Sun) Photo: George Wood
3. Morrell set for Pompey switch
Luton Town midfielder Joe Morrell is closing in on a move to League One side Portsmouth, according to sources close to the club. The Wales international made just seven league appearances for the Hatters last season, after joining from Bristol City. (The News) Photo: Mike Hewitt
4. Race hots up for Carvalho
Leeds United, West Ham and Norwich City have all been credited with an interest in Fulham teenager Fabio Carvalho. The exciting winger, who starting his career in Benfica's youth academy, is believed to have turned down a new contract offer from the Cottagers. (Daily Mail) Photo: Marc Atkins