Town made it four wins out of four at home through goals from Alan Lee and Tommy Miller.

Lee headed in his sixth goal of the season from a Jon Walters cross just past the half hour mark and Miller doubled the lead on 73 minutes after a brilliant backheel by Pablo Counago.

The goal was the midfielder's first for Blues since his summer return to Portman Road and took his tally to four against Preston, establishing him as Town's top goalscorer against North End.

Preston were given a controversial lifeline four minutes from time when Neil Mellor was judged to have been brought down by Neil Alexander, the former Liverpool striker scoring from the penalty spot.

Jim Magilton made two changes to the side that drew at Burnley, Counago returning to the attack with Fabian Wilnis partnering Jason De Vos at the back. Sylvain Legwinski and Alex Bruce making way.

Paul Gallagher was inches away from making contact with a diving header in the first minute but it was Town that created the first real opening, Pablo Counago showing skill and strength to weave his way through the defence before Andy Lonergan smothered the danger.

Walters, again prominent throughout, saw a left foot deflected away by Lonergan as Town pressed for the opening goal, the Preston 'keeper then clawing away Owen Garvan's free-kick as Walters threatened.

Lonergan held firm from De Vos' header after the skipper found space from Garvan's corner with Preston restricted to long shots, Callum Davidson firing wide from 25 yards.

Billy Clarke should have put Town ahead on 24 minutes, heading wide from Garvan's free-kick from six yards out then Counago's header hit the bar from a Garvan corner, Wilnis' follow-up hacked clear.

David Wright sent a left foot strike over the bar while at the other end, Wilnis breathed a sigh of relief after deflecting Kevin Nicholls' free-kick on to the roof of the net.

Davidson was booked for a foul on Counago before Town got the breakthrough, Lee heading in Walters' cross from inches above the ground on 33 minutes.

Wilnis had another anxious moment when he deflected a cross just past the post as Neil Alexander came to claim the ball, Karl Hawley almost in soon after the visitors from Nicholls' pass.

It took a great tackle from Clarke to rob Chris Sedgwick inside the Town box in the opening moments of the second-half as Preston threatened, Darren Carter's cross then evading his team-mates at the far post.

Walters then fired straight at Lonergan after a Town breakaway and a subtle touch from Counago, Gallagher booked for trying to stop Walters getting clear.

Preston made the first change of the game just before the hour, Patrick Agyemang replacing Gallagher, the striker immediately making an impact with a header just over.

Walters and Counago linked up again, Walters' shot beaten out by the North End defence, Clarke smacking the ball against the post with a brilliant strike from 25 yards.

Miller, up against the team he almost joined in the summer, saw his shot headed over by Davidson as Town threatened to tie up the points.

Preston made a second change on 67 minutes with Simon Whaley coming on for Carter.

Lee and David Wright caused mayhem in the Preston defence, Liam Chilvers hacking the ball clear, Counago then firing a shot just inches wide of Lonergan's goal.

Town made a first change on 72 minutes with Gary Roberts on for Clarke and within a minute Blues had doubled the lead, Counago's brilliant touch setting up Miller who slid the ball home from eight yards.

Preston boss Paul Simpson responded by putting on Mellor in place of Hawley, Whaley then shooting just over, Youl Mawene crowded out seconds later inside the penalty area.

Danny Haynes was introduced for the last 10 minutes, Counago receiving great applause as he left the field.

Preston were given a lifeline four minutes from time when Mellor converted from the spot after he was judged to have been brought down by Alexander after running on to an Agyemang pass.

Town had an anxious five minutes of added on time to deal with, De Vos' challenge on Aygemang preventing a chance, while Roberts picked up a yellow card in the last seconds but Blues held on to record an eighth straight home win.

Town: Alexander, Wright, De Vos, Wilnis, Harding, Walters, Garvan, T.Miller, Clarke (Roberts 72), Lee, Counago (Haynes 80). Subs not used: Supple, Bruce, Legwinski. Booked: Roberts.

Preston: Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, Chilvers, Pugh, Sedgwick, Davidson, Nicholls, Carter (Whaley 67), Hawley (Mellor 73), Gallagher (Agyemang 58). Subs not used: St Ledger, Neal. Booked: Davidson, Gallagher.

Att: 19,243