A stunning second half goal from Danny Welbeck and header by Neill Collins gave North End a hard fought 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town.

Both players opened their goal scoring accounts for Preston as substitute Collins gave the Lilywhites the lead in the 64th minute before Welbeck delicately lobbed the goalkeeper six minutes from time, giving the home side their second win in the space of a week.

Darren Ferguson made just one change to the line-up that emerged victorious at London Road on Tuesday, with Eddie Nolan coming in for Callum Davidson. Davidson was still nursing concussion which he suffered against Peterborough so Sean St.Ledger filled in as Captain for the day.

Ipswich started the game on the front foot with the Tractor Boys spending most of the opening stages in North End's half, making it a nervy start for the Lilywhites.

Winger Ross Wallace looked buoyant in attack though and he almost created the home side's first chance of the game in the 11th minute. Wallace made some space for a cross on the left hand side and he guided the ball into the area for Chris Brown's whose header just went wide.

Chances for Preston followed this in the opening 25 minutes with Neil Mellor and Brown having long range efforts but Ipswich's defense were proving hard to beat.

Like with the first chance for Ferguson's men, Wallace was at the heart of the action. The Scotsman's corner in the 35th minute picked out an isolated Billy Jones at the back post, Jones headed the ball into a congested penalty area but Ipswich frantically cleared the ball away.

The visitor's defense remained resolute though and there was to be no breakthrough in the first half. North End had probed but neither side was able to find any clear cut chances in the opening 45 minutes.

The second half saw Ipswich again on the front foot and the visitors almost took the lead in the 48th minute. Tamas Priskin received the ball inside of the penalty area but he blazed his shot over, an early let off for Preston North End.

In the 54th minute, both sides managed to find the net in the space of 30 seconds but neither goal stood. The Tractor Boys won a free kick around the North End penalty area which was headed in by Priskin but the goal was disallowed.

Preston then took the quick free kick and found Mellor who was clear in the opposition half. Mellor then rounds Arran Lee-Barrett and slotted the ball into the empty net; however play had already stopped and the free kick was pulled back.

There was a moment to be concerned in the 48th minute though when Youl Mawene was substituted for Collins. Nevertheless, through possibly more luck than judgment, Ferguson's change was an inspired one as Collins slotted in his first goal in a North End shirt.

The centre half was only on the field for 15 minutes before he nodded in the opening goal of the game. Richard Chaplow whipped in the cross which was met by the substitute who opened his account for the Lilywhites.

Before the goal, Preston were finding more joy on the ball and were able to utilise the pace of Danny Welbeck who was starting to give Ipswich a torrid time at the back.

Welbeck and Brown were leading the charge from the front with the pair working tirelessly up front. As expected though, Ipswich were now taking the game to the home side and North End were finding themselves under an increasing amount of pressure. This was being dealt with well by a stubborn Preston backline who were content at keeping a clean sheet.

If Welbeck was leading the charge, he may now be leading the race for North End goal of the season. In the 84th minute, the youngster received the ball from substitute Jon Parkin outside of the area and what happened next was a promising sign of things to come from the loanee from Manchester United.

The striker had previously tirelessly chased down lost balls before he picked up the ball outside of the area and delicately lifted it over Lee-Barrett. The goalkeeper was off of his line and was unable to prevent the quality finish.

This composed finish by Welbeck ensured a calmer ending to the game as North End picked up their second victory in the space of a week. This proved to be the icing on the cake for Preston who overcame a resilient and well organised Ipswich side.

Next up is Barnsley on Tuesday night at Deepdale with Preston now sitting just six points off of the Play-Off places with a game still in hand.