Preston's women returned to league action last weekend but unfortunately fell 3-1 at home to Leeds City Vixens.
Leeds were 2-0 up in the first half courtesy of Tania Panesar brace and then extended their lead just after half time through Emily Lipman.
Gemma Watson scored a consolation from the penalty spot soon after but the visitors held on to secure all three points at the QED Stadium.
North End returned to league action following last weekend's cup encounter at Liverpool. However, it wasn't the start Chris Stammers' side were looking for after Leeds opened the scoring within the opening five minutes after Meganne Paul's cross was met by striker Panesar.
PNE reacted to this goal and went on the search for an equaliser but Alison Taberner and Chantelle O'Hara saw their chances dealt with by Leeds goalkeeper Carrie Simpson.
The home side were again probing the Vixens backline and the visitors had the frame of the goal to thank for not being pegged back on level terms after Taberner saw her free kick crash off of the woodwork.
Nevertheless, North End were to rue these missed chances after Panesar went onto secure her brace just before the interval. Danielle Gibbons did well to save a Stacey Daniel effort but Panesar was on hand to follow this shot up and beat Gibbons in the Preston goal.
Stammers' side started the second half brightly with the most notable early chance falling to Watson, but her shot was safely gathered by Simpson.
Like in the first half, Preston were to regret missing chances and the next goal was the all important one in terms of the context of the game. A Vixens corner from Natalie Hague was initially cleared but then played back in Lipman who was the first to react and fire home, giving her side a 3-0 lead on 50 minutes.
This goal gave Leeds an unassailable lead but North End managed to get a consolation before the hour mark when Watson converted a spot kick after Taberner's corner was handled in the area.
Preston almost put the fighteners on the Vixens near the end of the game after Amie Davidson's long range effort was fired just over but it wasn't to be and North End lost the game 3-1.
Next up for the Lilywhites is Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night in the semi-final of the Lancashire Cup.
PNEWFC: Gibbons, Walker M, Davidson, Wootton, Taberner, Charnley O'Hara, Berry, Craig, Watson, Cadwallader. Subs: Bailey, Walker L, Eastwood, Clayton, Willoughby
Leeds City Vixens: Simpson, Robinson, MaGuire, Lipman, Hague, Dobby, Bird, Paul, Daniel, Walsh, Panesar. Subs: Woodhead, Roberts
