AN 18th minute blast from Paul McKenna was enough to ensure Preston grabbed their first three points of the season to lift the Lilywhites to 18th in the league.

And happy manager Craig Brown, who reckoned his side had enough chances to win three games against an impotent Stoke side, believes fans will watch his side soar up the league now.

He said: "Our two first-choice strikers are getting into the positions to score now and I think it is only a matter of time before the floodgates open.

"This win was important to us and September will be a big month for us now."

McKenna blasted home after Ed De Goey had deflected a shot from Richard Cresswell, who had been put into space by a lively Michael Keane.

Apart from an opening effort from Carl Asaba, Stoke struggled to find anything which threatened PNE.

In contrast, Preston always looked likely to score. On nine minutes, Eddie Lewis sent in a searching cross to Richard Cresswell who shot just inches wide, Then Cresswell burst down the left to set up Ricardo Fulleer, whose shot also went wide on 15 minutes.

Even after Claude Davis was substituted from the centre-back in the second half with a knee ligament injury, Stoke couldn't find a way through, with Marlon Broomes and Chris Lucketti in particular having a solid day at the back for Preston.

Injury worries, however, now linger over David and Michael Keane, who has done damage to his foot. Both, fortunatley, have until a week on Tuesday before North End's next game, at home to Coventry City.

PNE 1 STOKE CITY 0