Preston made it two wins on the road in the space of four days after seeing off high-flying Charlton with a superb performance at The Valley.
Chris Brown was the hero, grabbing both goals as North End moved up to 17th in the Championship table leapfrogging Barnsley, Leicester and Southampton.
The former Norwich man struck in each half with his brilliantly taken winner coming only 13 minutes from full-time.
Sandwiched in-between was a Paddy McCarthy equaliser which itself only came a few minutes prior to Brown's second goal of the game.
The victory was made even more sweeter by the fact that North End were rocked by an injury to defensive lynchpin Liam Chilvers moments prior to kick-off, with the defender pulling up injured in the warm-up. That meant a late reshuffle which saw Billy Jones promoted from the bench with Neal Trotman taking his place amongst the other substitutes.
Striker Tamas Priskin, who had only linked up with his team mates a few hours before the game after joining on a month's loan from Watford, was thrust into the starting XI with Callum Davidson also getting a starting berth after serving a two-match suspension.
It was the debutant Priskin, who missed the game's first opportunity when he delicately placed his finish the wrong side of the post.. Having latched on to a great ball over the top from Chris Sedgwick, the Hungarian shrugged off Kelly Youga down the right, the forward paced into the box.
Priskin again proved to be a nuisance when he towered to head over an in-swinging Darren Carter corner in the opening stages of the game before the deadlock was broken 15 minutes in.
Chris Brown coolly lofted a precise finish into the roof of the net after Darren Carter had picked the former Norwich striker out a couple of yards inside the area. Credit must go to Chris Sedgwick after he fought hard to win possession for North End in a promising position 20 yards from goal.
It was proving to be a very lively start by the visitors as Darren Carter came close to doubling the lead five minutes later. However, the goal scoring hero at Leicester could only direct his right-footed attempt into the side netting following a great lofted assist from Priskin.
The Addicks did respond in a positive manner with Kelly Youga striding up from left-back to drill a shot across the face of Andy Lonergan's goal, whilst Paddy McCarthy leapt to head wide from a corner down the left.
But despite having the home advantage and a sell-out crowd behind their back, North End limited Charlton and looked by far the better team in the first half.
Indeed, they had further opportunities when Priskin pounced on lazy definding by Greg Halford, pulling his shot tamely wide when he perhaps should have unselfishly passed to Chris Sedgwick.
The North End number seven was to have a chance of his own when he strode in unmarked at the far post on 35 minutes, with his sliding effort floating just over Nicky Weaver's goal.
But, all in all, it was a sound opening period for Preston who had shown their willingness to fight for the cause, whilst also playing some very attractive attacking football at the same time.
Alan Pardew, obviously not pleased with what he had seen in the first half, decided a change was necessary and brought on Andy Gray in place of Luke Varney. It was the Addicks second change of the game with Lloyd Sam being forced to withdraw earlier with injury.
Charlton started the brighter following the resumption as they enjoyed a few minutes of pressure in and around the North End box. But despite their spell of keep-ball, it was Preston who had the frst real attempt on goal in the second half
Chris Brown foraging away down the left, laid back to Whaley, who's deflected effort spun away to Chris Sedgwick but he couldn't direct towards goal when off balance.
The travelling fans remained in fine voice throughout the entirety of the afternoon, and they reason to as once North End found their feet in the second half, Alan Irvine's men continued where they had left off in the opening 45 minutes.
The Lilywhites forced a couple of corners through hard work from Brown and Priskin before the latter made Nicky Weaver produce a great one-on-one save having been sent through by Simon Whaley with half an hour remaining.
The Charlton fans were becoming more agitated and vented their frustration with a rendition of jeers.
Alan Irvine decided to change things in attack on 70 minutes bringing Neil Mellor on at the expense of the Priskin. The debutant received a standing ovation from the batch of travelling PNE fans and it was merited, he'd worked his socks off.
Lita struck a shot from distance that hit Mawene moments prior to Charlton levelling. The Addicks found themselves back in the game when McCarthy prodded home from close range against the run of play.
Preston failed to clear an Ambrose corner with Sam Sodje laying off for the centre-half to knock past Andy Lonergan just inside the six-yard box. Apart from a few confident punches and catches, picking the ball out of the net was Lonergan's first real involvement in the match.
But then, take a bow Chris Brown! The forward restored North End's lead only moments later, elegantly controlling a left-winged Simon Whaley cross before pivoting and finishing from six-yards on 77 minutes. It was a wonderful strike, met by cheers of delight by from the North End fans gathered behind Nicky Weaver's goal.
Andy Lonergan tipped a 30-yard Ambrose free-kick around his right post on 84 minutes with Irvine deciding to shore the defence up in the final stages by replacing Simon Whaley with Matt Hill.
Three minutes of injury time were indicated by the fourth official Mr Mason as Preston looked to wind down the clock by keeping the ball in Charlton's corner, firstly with Neil Mellor and then Matt Hill.
North End survived a late scare when Andy Lonergan produced a fantastic save to deny a long range Matt Holland effort but it was the last piece of action in the game. Mr Hagley blew the final whistle a few seconds later and North End had three thoroughly deserved points in the bag.
Charlton: Weaver, Halford, Sodje, McCarthy, Youga, Sam (Sinclair), Holland, Zheng, Ambrose, Lita, Varney (Gray) (Subs not used: Elliot, Iwelumo, Semedo)
Preston: Lonergan, Jones, St Ledger, Mawene, Davidson, Whaley (Hill), McKenna, Carter, Sedgwick, Priskin (Mellor), Brown (Subs not used: Chris Neal, Trotman, Lewis Neal)
Referee: Mr G Hagley
Goals: Brown 15, 77; McCarthy 74
Attendance: 25,124
