Preston North End beat Swansea to record three wins in a row for the first time in two years.

PNE played superbly and more than deserved their 2-1 win against the side currently sitting third in the Championship.

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PNE took the lead early on when Iain Hume scored from the penalty spot but Swansea were soon on level terms thanks to Ashley Williams.

The score stayed 1-1 for almost an hour but a wonderful solo goal from Hume gave Preston all three points.

Bongani Khumalo, the South African international on loan from Tottenham started for PNE in place of the injured Sean St Ledger. Chris Brown also missed out through injury with Barry Nicholson replacing him.

PNE came into this game desperate for three points and started accordingly. Stand in captain Billy Jones was brought down in the area by Swansea’s goalkeeper Dorus De Vries after just two minutes and Hume converted the penalty.

For the next 20 minutes Swansea kept possession well but it was PNE who had the better chances as Eddie Johnson forced a good save from De Vries and Keith Treacy missed a great opportunity.

Swansea equalised halfway through the first half, a Fabio Borini header was cleared off the line by Ian Ashbee but Williams tucked in the rebound.

The pace of the game slowed after the goal and a fairly-even half ended 1-1.

The second half started as quickly as the first, Swansea came close to taking the lead but Mark Gower‘s free kick hit the crossbar.

Just a minute later North End came close to scoring themselves. First Ashbee then Nicholson were denied by a fantastic double save from De Vries.

After the electrifying start to the half the pace of the game slowed forcing Phil Brown to make a change going in search of the win. Nathan Ellington, who got the winner last time out, replaced Johnson with half an hour to go.

Swansea were just as desperate to win and they made a couple of changes themselves bringing on Leon Britton and Tamas Priskin.

PNE were looking the more likely to score as Barry Nicholson and Nathan Ellington both went close.

Just when it looked as though Swansea had weathered the storm that man Hume scored the decisive goal.

Picking the ball up just inside Swansea’s half the Canadian international went on a long run taking on two Swansea defenders before finishing brilliantly.

PNE’s fans were ecstatic and the defence held firm for the last five minutes to give North End the win.

The Lilywhites face Reading away on Tuesday night hoping to keep their run of good form going.

PNE: Turner 7, Jones 8, Morgan 7, Khumalo 7, Gardner 8, Nicholson 7, Ashbee 7 (Parry 6), Carter 7 (Barton 6), Treacy 7, Johnson 7 (Ellington 7), Hume 9. Unused subs: Lonergan, Wright, Coutts and Hayes.

Swansea: De Vries 7, Taylor 6, Willams 7, Tate 6, Monk 6, Gower 7 (Orlandi 6), Pratley 6, Allen 6 (Britton 6), Dyer 5 (Priskin 6), Sinclair 6, Borini 6. Unused subs: Ma – Kalambay, Rangel, Van der Gun and Moore.

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