Sean Gregan exclusive column

Preston left it late to beat Huddersfield and had been second best all game but the only statistic that counts is the 2-1 scoreline.

Ideally, you want a good performance to accompany a victory.

However, over the course of a long season, it is about an accumulation of points, no matter how you get them.

North End are now 14 points clear of the bottom three and 11 shy of the top six.

It would take a big swing of results either way for them to drop down into trouble or launch a late charge for the play-offs.

What I think they should aim to do is push on and get a top 10 finish – their form over the last few months suggests that is within their range.

Simon Grayson is not the sort of manager who will let standards drop, he will be keep demanding more from the squad and push them.

With there certain to be recruitment in the summer, the current players will be wanting to prove to Grayson that they are worth keeping hold of, no matter who comes in.

The winning goal against Huddersfield came from Alan Browne and it was a good piece of play with him arriving late in the box to meet a cross.

Midfielders making runs like that can be priceless to a team, Frank Lampard used to do all the time.

As a defender, you tend to pick up the strikers when a cross is put into the box.

So if your midfielders have not tracked the runners, you have suddenly got a problem on your hands.

Browne hasn’t scored too many this season so to add a goal to his game is positive.

With the Preston strikers having found goals to come by this season, to have players in other positions scoring – like Browne – is vital.

The victory over Huddersfield followed-up last Tuesday night’s goalless draw at Derby.

Four points from two games is a very good return, average that out over the course of the season and you will find yourselves pushing for promotion!

Changing the subject from North End, the battle for the Premier League title is one which is really getting people talking.

Surely the time has come for Leicester to be regarded as genuine contenders?

They are five points clear at the top and if it was Chelsea or Manchester City with that lead, they could be seen as clear favourites.

It seems like everyone is waiting for Leicester’s bubble to burst but every week they keep on getting results.

For them to have gone to Manchester City on Saturday and won 3-1, was superb.

They could have scored five or six goals.

Leicester tend to stick closely with the same side every week and some might say that could prove their undoing if the players run out of steam.

Balancing out that train of thought, a settled side with very few changes can take you a long way.

It would be great for the Premier League and English football to have a different name on the trophy.

With the extra television money coming into the game next season, I would envisage City, United and Chelsea to spend huge amounts ahead of next season.

Pep Guardiola will arrive at City in the summer too, so you would expect them to push on.

So this season could be a rare opportunity for an outsider like Leicester or Tottenham, to win it. I’ll watch with interest.