It was a close game at the Bet365 Stadium but North End’s no.9 jumped the highest to glance a header from the near post to the far post, coming off the upright to find the back of the net.
The win ended a run of three consecutive defeats for the Lilywhites and shot them back into the top half of the Championship table.
Here’s how we rated the players on the day…
Here’s how we rated the players on the day…
![Although he's had a lot more game time than Bambo Diaby this season, it could still have been tough to come straight back into the XI on his return from injury but he looked like he was never away. His fitness was fantastic as was his timing and challenging for the ball in the air.](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmEwMjc1NmI5LTNhMTYtNGVkNC1iNDk2LTA0ZGU0YjMzOWI5NDo2ZGZlMmI1YS00NzNjLTQ2YjYtYjg4OS1jMGY0MWU2OGZkNGY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Andrew Hughes - 7
Although he's had a lot more game time than Bambo Diaby this season, it could still have been tough to come straight back into the XI on his return from injury but he looked like he was never away. His fitness was fantastic as was his timing and challenging for the ball in the air. Photo: Richard Sellers
![The North End captain gave it his all and then some on the right side, which is not his natural position. He was limited in what he could do but did provide an excellent cross from the corner for Ched Evans to win the game.](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjA0ODliYTMxLWIzNTEtNDNlOS04OTNlLWIyODA2YmIxOTRjNzpjODA0MTg0YS0zYTY4LTQ4NzAtYmM0MS1lMjE2YjQ3N2Y1YjY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Alan Browne - 6
The North End captain gave it his all and then some on the right side, which is not his natural position. He was limited in what he could do but did provide an excellent cross from the corner for Ched Evans to win the game. Photo: Richard Sellers
![We do not seem to be seeing enough out of Ben Whiteman at the moment, particular considering what we're used to. Few forward passes, but for a 40 yard run that got North End right up the pitch, and little in breaking the game up too.](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmExYWI5MTc2LTk3MzYtNDQ4YS1iNGFiLWU1M2FiYTExYzMyOTpkMzA3OTFjOS1jNzg4LTQ2OTUtYWY3YS0xYjM1Y2M4YTIwMzk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Ben Whiteman - 5
We do not seem to be seeing enough out of Ben Whiteman at the moment, particular considering what we're used to. Few forward passes, but for a 40 yard run that got North End right up the pitch, and little in breaking the game up too. Photo: CameraSport - Andrew Kearns
![It's no coincidence that it seems to be that whenever McCann plays North End do well, he does every part of the game and never tires. He made important tackles but was also very tidy in possession.](https://www.lep.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjk5NmZlZWMwLTA4ZDktNGI3MS1iOWEzLWM5NmJmZGFlMGIyMTo4NTg0NmQ0Yy1lMTM3LTQ1YTItOGFhYy04ZDM3NGQ2NzFjMDk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Ali McCann - 8
It's no coincidence that it seems to be that whenever McCann plays North End do well, he does every part of the game and never tires. He made important tackles but was also very tidy in possession. Photo: Richard Sellers