Preston North End's youth team made it two victories in a week after seeing off a physical Oldham Athletic side 4-2 in a heated match at Springfields.

Goals from Ryan McGreevy, Neil Dougan, Scott Davidson and Jamie Proctor were enough to ensure victory for Jamie Hoyland's team, even though the visitors replied back twice through central midfielder Andy Crompton.

The opening twenty minutes was a very tight affair contested in the middle of the park. The Latics came the closest to breaking the deadlock through a long range strike from skipper Djeny Bembo-Leta just crept over North End's bar.

But it was the Lilywhites who took the lead in the 23^rd minute courtesy of striker McGreevy. A fine counter attack from Preston allowed them to outnumber the opposition's defence, which found McGreevy in acres of space in the penalty area to calmly side foot home for the opener.

North End's joys were short lived though and almost immediately after going ahead Oldham were back on level terms. Preston's defence were unable to clear the ball to safety allowing Matty Carr to rifle a shot against the post from 20 yards, which rebounded to a grateful Adam Crompton who tapped the ball past keeper Dom Comrie.

Preston started enjoying more time on the ball with some good passing, searching to regain the lead.This should have been the case in the 32^nd minute as Danny Devine saw his header bounce just over from a Dougan corner.

Oldham's best chance fell to striker Tom Eaves who tried to cheekily lob PNE keeper Comrie which just went over the bar, meaning both sides went in at the interval tied at 1-1.

The second half started off just like the first with Oldham using the physical approach to try and bully Preston off the ball. It came to no avail though and Preston deservingly took the lead for the second time in the 56^th minute, thanks to Dougan. The goal came from good work by Proctor, who showed great strength to shrug off the challenge from defender James Takowski and pull a right footed drive towards goal. Oldham keeper Anthony White could only parry the shot, which fell straight to winger Dougan to tuck away for his second of the game.

North End soon increased their advantage five minutes later when Davidson made it 3-1 to the Lilywhites. A poor clearance from the Oldham defence on the right hand side gave possession away cheaply to Davidson who capitalised on the mistake to skim his shot across the wet surface giving the Oldham keeper no chance.

Oldham weren't going to give up without a fight though and pulled a goal back making a nervy final 25 minutes for North End, Crompton grabbing his second with an elegant chip over Comrie after losing his marker.

Both sides continued to push forward for the next goal with strong tackles flying in.

PNE's search for a fourth goal nearly came when Matt Dudley switched the ball to the left flank to Dougan, who played a superb through ball to left back McLaughlin, to swing a dangerous cross for McGreevy . Unfortunately for the striker he couldn't connect properly with the cross and steered his header wide of the goal.

Crompton thought he had drawn his side level to grab his hat trick in the 84^th minute, but he saw his free kick narrowly curl over the bar from 30 yards out.

However, it was Preston who grabbed the all important sixth goal to condemn Oldham to defeat. Lacklustre defending once again from the Latics saw them unable to clear the ball, allowing Proctor the opportunity to finish from close range in the 88^th minute. The striker celebrated the goal in style by sliding to his knees with his team mates, capping off a fine performance from the North End youngsters.

Manager Jamie Hoyland was impressed with his teams performance. He said: "It was a hard fought game between two very good sides; maybe I'm saying it on our side but a little bit of quality came through at the right time. I was pleased with our team, we had a lot of young players out there today and they got a taste of what youth team football is all about."

PNE: Dom Comrie, Connor McLaughlin, Scott Leather (Luke Clark 58), Tom Owens (c), Fred Holtom, Danny Devine, Ryan Hall (Matt Dudley 62), Scott Davidson, Ryan McGreevy, Jamie Proctor, Neil Dougan. Unused subs: Seanan Clucas, Jordan Watson, Niam El Harrati.

Oldham: Anthony White, James Tarkowski, Gregg Kidd (Rico Ramsey 45), Richard Cowen, Laquan Esdaile, Matty Carr (Nicky Zaucevs 60) Kirk Miller, Andy Crompton, Tom Eaves, Djeny Bembo - Leta (c), David Miller. Unused Subs: Matt D Carr, Shaun Routledge, Connor Hughes.

Report by Jonathon Swift. Photos by Andrew Stunell / Lenscap Photography (in report) and Anthony Farran