Preston North End's youngsters suffered their second defeat of the season, falling 3-2 at the hands of Morecambe.

A first half penalty from Matt Dudley and a ferocious strike from midfielder Doyle Middleton wasn't enough for the Lilywhites, who struggled for consistency throughout the game

The away side were quickest out of the traps in the early exchanges and Sam Breen should have put the Shrimps ahead inside the opening four minutes. Winger Joe Mwasilie found space before the winger carved out a pass to Breen, but the striker could only fire into the grateful hands of Preston stopper Dom Comrie.

Minutes later, North End had their first sight on Morecambe's goal after a great team move wasn't able to be finished off by Ryan Hall. PNE switched possession from right to left, as Reece James and Hall worked the ball well down the left side. Hall then cut inside full back Josh Moffett to strike a powerful shot which dipped inches over Matt Calvert's goal.

Despite Hall's effort, Preston were unable to get their foot on the ball as Morecambe closed the Lilywhites down well, forcing the home side into mistakes.

North End nearly paid the price as Morecambe again came close to breaking the deadlock but the visitors were denied by Comrie. The PNE stopper, who earned his plaudits last season with a string of fine performances, fantastically denied Breen once more with a low diving save from point blank range.

But it was Preston that took the lead with 30 minutes on the clock as Dudley converted from the penalty spot. Morecambe, who pushed players up from the back, were left vulnerable as North End struck on the counter. Dudley slid the ball through to winger Hall, who beat the offside trap to put him one on one with keeper Calvert. Hall wrong footed the Shrimps keeper, who ended up clipping the tricky Preston winger, with the referee having no option but to award the spot kick.

Dudley stepped up confidently to send the guilty keeper the wrong way, putting North End ahead.

Two minutes later the visitors were back on level terms through a standard route one football move. A harmless throw-in inside the Morecambe half was played to striker Callum Moore. Moore was then given the licence to turn and played a 40 yard pass over the Preston defence for Dan Parkinson to collect and side foot home.

After little improvement in the second half, Jamie Hoyland rang the changes, with Luke Clark and Jordan Bent making way for Brandon Zubaka and Matt Greenwood. The changes saw Dudley playing up front alongside Zubuka, with Greenwood operating the left flank and Middleton dropping into centre midfield alongside Seanan Clucas.

Centre forward Breen, who had been knocking on the Preston door all game, finally got his name on the score sheet in the 60th minute, as Morecambe came from behind to take the lead.

Preston were unable to prevent Breen finishing off a simple team move involving the goalscorer and strike partner Moore. Breen was left with the simplest of finishes, placing the ball past a helpless Comrie.

Middleton came up with the answers for Preston five minutes later, as he made the scores level once more, as the Lilywhites showed their fighting spirit as Middleton showed as he punched the air in celebration.

The goal was courtesy of Morecambe's Joe Culshaw giving possession away to Dudley who worked the ball to James. The attacking full back then swung a dangerous cross into the penalty area which the Morecambe defence failed to clear as it fell kindly to Middleton's feet. The box to box midfielder then fired a rocket from eight yards out past Calvert, putting the teams back level once again.

The game was left wide open now, as both teams pushed for that illusive winner. Chances fell to Preston and Morecambe; with Clucas squandering Preston's best chance and Comrie played his part too, denying Moore at the other end.

The fifth goal was coming, and it did in the 72nd minute, but unfortunately for Preston, it was to the visitors thanks to Parkinson's second of the game. Moore, who was a constant thorn in the side of PNE throughout the game, played a spectacular 30 yard pass to Parkinson who fired what was the winning goal from 18 yards was out.

Preston: Corrie, Parish, James, Clark (Greenwood 57), Devine, Holtom, Bent (Zubaka 57), Clucas, Dudley (Kuba Kuba 82) Middleton, Hall. Unused Subs: Watson, Crosedale.

Morecambe: Calvert, Culshaw, Moffett, Axon-Smith, Danvers, Draycott, Mwasilie, McGee, Breen, Moore, Parkinson (Evans 81) Unused Subs: McMillan, Stephenson, Hague, Cameron.

Report by Jonathon Swift. Photos by Mark Mcloughlin.