The home side then went straight up the other end on the attack, but were denied a goal scoring opportunity by a fine defensive block from Bailey Wright. Stockport striker Cameron Darkwah, who caused the Lilywhites back line problems throughout the game with his lightning quick pace, raced through on goal but the Australian defender got back just in time.

County had a very strong spell for 20 minutes, as the Preston defence were not settled, North End managed to weather the storm as Stockport squandered several chances to really test Preston keeper Dom Comrie.

Preston started gradually getting back into the game, good passing football which would have impressed manager Jamie Hoyland, led to full back Scott Leather making an advanced run into County's half. Leather then played in Proctor who skipped past his marker with ease, his shot though was comfortable for Parasi.

Comrie then pulled off a magnificent save in the 30th minute to deny Darkwah opening the scoring for the home side. Darkwah found an opening in the Preston defence to unleash a powerful shot, which deflected heavily off Daniel Devine but superb reaction skills from Comrie saw the PNE stopper turn it round the post.

North End finished the half the stronger of the two sides, a corner from Sam Hart was headed by Proctor which beat Parasi, luckily for County, centre back Reiss Lee headed the ball off the line to keep the score level at half time.

The visitors started the second half how they finished the first, when they hit the Stockport bar from an ambitious lofted effort from Tom Owens in the 51st minute.

Owens had another great opportunity to get on the score sheet ten minutes later, when Preston were awarded a free kick 30 yards from goal, the midfielder curled the ball over the wall but never put any real power on the shot to test the keeper.

There was some really quality football shown between both sides in this tightly contested affair, and it was apparent to spectators that Preston and Stockport were both pushing for the title this season.

Preston started picking up pace and pushing for that opening goal with chances falling to Wright and Proctor, but neither could find that illusive break through.

In the 76th minute the deadlock was broken thanks to former Stockport County striker McGreevy who won and scored the Lilywhites penalty. The spot kick was awarded after Davidson played McGreevy through on goal but Stockport Captain John Disney, who had been assigned the difficult job all game of keeping McGreevy at bay, brought the forward down from behind. McGreevy confidently stepped up and sent Parasi the wrong way, slotting the ball into the bottom left hand corner to give Preston the lead.

Stockport altered their style of play and pushed men forward, looking for an equaliser to get them back into the game.

Preston's second came two minutes after taking the lead, ensuring that Hoyland's men left with all three points. North End hit County on the counter attack following a corner as Davidson broke with possession putting him one on one with the goalkeeper. A superbly timed last ditched tackle from Disney, who had just conceded the penalty moments before prevented the Preston midfielder from taking a shot on goal. But with no one back to help the County captain, Michael McLellan collected the loose ball to play it back to Davidson who rifled an unstoppable shot giving Parasi no chance in the Stockport goal, sending the Preston players into wild celebrations after sealing an important victory.