Going into this encounter shows how close the Championship is with just nine points seperating the two sides even though North End are 4th from bottom and a win for the visitors will send them possibly three points from the play off positions.

Neil Warnock has once again had to shuffle his pack with three players all suspended for this game but it has given further opportunity for players from the academy to take their opportunity. 17 year old Ashley Robinson is named amongst the substitutes whilst Victor Moses gets his first start in Palace colours and Lee Hills reverts back to his left back role.

The first chance on goal for either side fell to Palace after eight minutes as a Danny Butterfield free kick found its way through to Ben Watson but the midfielder's shot went just over from a difficult angle.

Moses marked his first start in the wrong way as he went in the referees notebook for a challenge just outside the box on Billy Jones. Nothing came from the resulting set piece as the move was typical of the disappointing opening period of the game.  

Watson was once again the man with the shot with his second attempt at goal but 'keeper Andy Lonergan was down well to collect the shot.

Just past the half hour mark and another caution for Palace as Paul Ifill is shown yellow for a deliberate hand ball as he tried to get on the end of a good Lee Hills cross at the far post.

Preston's first real effort at Julian Speroni's goal came from Darren Carter on 36 minutes, he picked up a quick free kick but his the keeper was pleased to see the fierce shot go over the bar as it flashed past him.

Lonergan kept his side on level terms when he saved well from Ifill. The winger collected the ball inside the box as a Hills cross was helped through to him by Moses but the 'keeper made the save of the half to deny the winger.

A half which was short on chances comes to a close with both sides unable to break the deadlock although Warnock's side having the better of the limited opportunities.

Two changes were made at the start of the second period by Alan Irvine as Lewis Neal and Neil Mellor are both introduced into the game.  

The best early chances of the half both fall to Moses, he hit a half volley over the bar four minutes into the half and then on 56 minutes Lonergan holds on to a powerful drive from the youngster.

Warnock decided to make a change of his own as Dougie Freedman replaced Ifill on the hour mark.

Speroni produced an excellent save from Chris Sedgwick on 68 minutes as he punched the shot from distance over the bar to produce the kind of stop which he has consistently done this campaign. 

He showed another example of this just minutes later when he gets down to his left to put a Mellor shot around the post.

It was at the other end where the breakthrough finally did come though as Morrison puts the ball into the net from close range after Moses had got up well to head towards goal. Once again the provider was Watson from a corner as the striker gives his side the lead with his 14th of the season.

With just minutes remaining Ashley Robinson was given his Palace debut when he replaced Moses and won a corner for his side with almost his first touch.

The added time came and went this time with no problems for the visitors as that Morrison goal seperated the two sides and gives them a valueable win as they keep in touch with the chasing pack for the play off places.

Preston: Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, Chilvers, Hill, Sedgwick (Ormerod 82), McKenna, Carter, Whaley (Lewis Neal 46), Brown, Hawley (Mellor 46).
Subs Not Used: Chris Neal, St. Ledger.

Booked: Jones, Carter, Hill.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Hudson, Lawrence, Hills, Ifill (Freedman 61), Watson, Fletcher, Derry, Morrison, Moses (Robinson 87).
Subs Not Used: Fonte, Hughes, Scannell.

Booked: Moses, Ifill, Watson.

Att: 12,347   Referee:  Michael Jones (Cheshire).