Oldham Athletic

Paul Huntington, Daniel Johnson, Joe Garner and Jermaine Beckford grabbed the goals for the visitors as they went away from SportsDirect.com Park with the points.

For the third game in succession, Latics fell behind within the opening couple of minutes as Preston took the lead.

The Lilywhites earned a corner which Paul Gallagher delivered straight onto the head of Huntington to power the visitors ahead.

The defender was in the thick of the early action as he received the first booking of the game on three minutes for a cynical challenge on Dominic Poleon.

Latics' number nine put himself about and saw a lot of the ball in the early exchanges. 

The home side started to enjoy a spell of possession but were hit on the counter on 15 minutes as North End winger Chris Humphrey smashed the crossbar from 25 yards.

Preston almost doubled their lead two minutes later as Joe Garner found himself behind the defence but Connor Brown was back to cover.

Latics raced up the other end and Brown's cross fell straight into the path of Liam Kelly but he just could not dig his shot out and the chance passed.

Just after the half hour mark, the visitors doubled their lead through former Latics' loanee Johnson.

The 22-year-old received the ball outside Athletic's half, took a touch and smashed the ball beyond Jake Kean to extend Preston's advantage.

Holden's men finished the first half strongly and almost found a way back into the game with five minutes remaining.

Poleon stroked the ball past his defender, raced through on goal and crossed towards the onrushing Danny Philliskirk but his effort was deflected wide for a corner.

From the resulting set-piece, James Wilson rose highest but could not find the glancing touch needed to put the ball away.

Deep into first half stoppage time, Poleon again was presented with a sight of goal at the back post but he was eventually crowded out before he could get his shot away. 

Youth team prospect Devante Jacobs was introduced at the half time break in place of full back Brian Wilson as Latics looked for a way back in the game.

Athletic started the half with a bit more urgency and were unfortunate not to pull a goal back five minutes into the second half but Timothee Dieng's header sailed over the crossbar. 

The visitors did extend their lead on 52 minutes as Garner tapped home at the back post.

Robinson was fed the ball on the right-hand side, crossed into the box and Garner tucked the ball home from five yards at the far post.

North End goalkeeper Sam Johnstone was cautioned soon after for throwing the ball away as Latics looked to take a quick corner kick.

Latics were really struggling to create clear-cut goalscoring opportunities with Poleon a bright spark for the home side.

With 20 minutes of the game remaining, Latics felt they should have been awarded a penalty after it appeared a Preston player handled in the box but the referee was unmoved.

Preston were in control of the game and had a chance on 75 minutes to make it four but Robinson's free kick sailed over the crossbar.

Five minutes later, the Lilywhites did make it four through substitute Beckford.

Aston Villa loanee Robinson chased down the lost cause, won the ball and crossed for the former Everton man and he guided the ball into the back of the goal.

Latics made their final change of the afternoon with Adam Lockwood returning to the side for his first appearance of the season. 

However, Latics could not get back into the game and unfortunately Holden's men drop out of the top 10.