A debut strike from youngster Matt James helped Preston North End on their way to an inspiring 2-1 victory against Sheffield United.

Striker Jon Parkin added the second goal midway through the second half to help North End secure all three points against Kevin Blackwell's men.

Mark Yeates late strike made it an anxious end to the game for the Lilywhites but Darren Ferguson's men were able to hold on for a deserved win at Deepdale.

Ferguson made four changes to the starting line-up that lost to Swansea on the weekend, with Parkin, Ross Wallace, Chris Sedgwick and James coming in for Chris Brown, Keith Treacy, Neil Mellor and Eddie Nolan.

It was one of these players that came into the side for tonight's game who had the first meaningful chance of the game. Sedgwick had a great solo run on the right hand side but his shot was powered just wide of Ian Bennett's post.

This was an extremely bright start to the game for North End and they were able to take the lead in just the ninth minute, perhaps dubiously though through a Preston debutant. Parkin's powerful run on the left hand side gave the striker space to lay the ball off to James outside of the penalty area whose shot took a wicked deflection off of a United defender, sending Bennett totally the wrong way.

James' debut goal inspired the crowd to be in great voice and the Lilywhites were continuing to probe United's defense. North End were pressing the play well but it was Lee Williamson, who had a spell on loan at Deepdale last season, that came the closest for United in the first half. Fortunately though for Preston his driven effort was dragged just wide of Andy Lonergan's post.

Following this chance, Preston were then looking increasingly dangerous and in the 28th minute, Parkin unleashed a thunderous shot from outside of the penalty area but this rattled off of the crossbar.

After this shot, the ball eventually fell in a promising position for Danny Welbeck and he was chopped down inside of the penalty area, but the referee said nothing doing, much to the frustration of the Preston manager on the sidelines.

This new look North End front six were running the United backline ragged and the Lilywhites were again close to doubling their lead in the 33rd minute. Sedgwick played a high ball into the area and Welbeck jumped with Bennett, who spilt the ball into Parkin's path but he prodded the ball on to the roof of the net.

There was a bit of a scare towards the end of the half with the Blades winning a string of corners from the 43rd minute but North End defended resolutely and were able to see out the half with their one goal lead still intact. On reflection to the whole of the first half though, Preston could have felt aggrieved to have gone into the break just one goal to the good.

There were a few nervous North End fans straight after the restart when Ched Evans was played through on goal. Evans driven shot came off of Lonergan in the Preston goal and luckily bounced off of the post.

After this early scare, Preston were soon back in their stride and Parkin was again at the forefront of the North End attack. In the 57th minute, the striker danced his way through the visitors defense but his drilled shot from 30-yards-out was comfortably dealt with by Bennett.

Much like the first half, Sedgwick was looking to get involved after he latched on to Parkin's flick-on but his shot was sliced into the side netting. This spell of dangerous play in the final third was followed by some patient build-up play by North End and the home side were retaining the ball expertly with almost every player in a white shirt having a touch on the ball.

Preston's dominance was soon rewarded in the 70th minute after Danny Welbeck was bundled over inside of the penalty area. Up stepped Parkin to take the penalty and his spot kick was saved by Bennett. Despite this, Parkin was the quickest to react and he was on hand to tap the ball into the gaping net to give the home side a two goal cushion.

Immediately after this goal, Preston looked to be in cruise control but ten minutes later, North End were dealt a scare when United pulled a goal back. A spell of pressure on the Lilywhites defense was rewarded when Yeates slotted the ball in from inside the six-yard box, making it a nervous end to the game for Ferguson's men.

It was a back to the wall job for Preston for a small period in the last ten minutes and Yeates carved out another chance but his shot from the edge of the area was blocked well by left back for the night Billy Jones.

In the dying stages, Sheffield United almost carved open the North End defense but was stopped expertly by man of the match James. North End were able to see out the remainder of the injury time and held on for a hard fought three points ahead of Saturday's derby match at home to Blackpool.