JON Macken served up a festive feast to keep Preston in the race for top spot - but this Bank Holiday thriller wasn't without its scares.

In front of a bumper 16,680 crowd, all roaring on Preston, it was Bristol who took the lead just a minute before half time with a ridiculously convoluted effort.

Nathan Ellington's corner kick rolled to Mark Walters, whose low effort deflected off two players in the crowd box before confusing Tepi Moilanen and spinning into the right-hand corner of the net.

Preston's front men seemed to be having an off-day, with Jon Macken missing a hatful of chances before he scored the winner. Michael Appleton also went close.

North End were back in the match when Graham Alexander hit home a penalty awarded after Nogan had been pulled down by Andy Thomson.

Macken wrapped things up of 72 minutes when he redeemed his earlier mistakes by picking up David Eyres' ball from the left, shook off his marker Steve Foster and shot past Lee Jones to send North End 2-1 up.

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