Preston's women got back to winning ways in the Northern Division after coming back from a goal behind to beat Manchester City ladies 3-1 at the QED Stadium.
All four of the goals came in the opening half an hour with Man City taking the lead through Krystal Johnson in only the third minute.
But Preston were back on level terms a minute later through Sarah McCrea, before a Sam Cadwallader goal and Alison Taberner free-kick opened up a two goal margin for North End.
The second half was to remain goalless and this win now moves Preston into sixth place in the Northern Division.
Chris Stammers' side had the worst possible start when they conceded with only three minutes on the clock. City striker Johnson latched onto a through ball and finished well past Emma Reader in the Preston goal.
However, the Preston manager would have been delighted with his side's reaction when Laura Walker picked out McCrea who coolly finished past City goalkeeper Andrea Worrall.
This game was then turned on its head in the tenth minute when Cadwallader beat the offside trap and slotted the ball past Worrall to complete an eventful opening to the match.
Following this comeback, North End continued to probe City's defence and could have extended their lead through Amie Davidson and McCrea but both chances were cleared by the City defence.
The Lilywhites didn't have to wait long before they extended the lead though when Taberner's 27th minute free-kick eluded the City players and found the bottom corner of the goal.
Following this goal, North End had to endure a barrage of City attacks before half time from the away side, with their best chances coming through striker Johnson who hit the post and strike partner Sarah Penney who forced Reader into a smart save. Nevertheless, North End were able to maintain their two goal advantage going into the break.
The second half was an open affair with both side's searching for goals but for different reason's. Preston substitute Hannah Bailey forced an excellent save out of Worrall but City's shot stopper injured herself making the save and was subsequently replaced by substitute Lindsay Savage.
Both sides threatened in the second half but neither were able to give either goalkeeper a real test and North End were able to see out the remainder of the match maintaining their two goal cushion. This would have been a welcome relief to Stammers who witnessed his side see out the remainder of the second half without conceding any late goals.
Preston will now take on eight place Leeds City Vixens next week at the QED Stadium where Stammers' side will be looking to put their 3-0 defeat earlier in the season behind them.
PNE: Reader, Taberner, Wootton, Davidson, Eastwood, Clayton, Berry (Capt), O'Hara, Walker L. Cadwallader, McCrea. Subs: Gibbons, Cafferkey, Walker M, Bailey, Blackett.
Man City: Worrall, Champ, McLellan, Farrell (Capt), McManus, Lee, Hindley, Wensley, Worth, Penney, Johnson. Subs: Pearse, Young, Savage.
Photos by www.pne-invincibles.com
