Three second-half goals, two from Chris Brown and one from Neil Mellor, were enough for Preston to take the derby spoils at Bloomfield Road.

A first-half strike from Adam Hammill had put the Seasiders in the driving seat for victory after a fine first half performance but Preston hit back in the second-half.

The derby started in typical fashion with both sides looking to set the tempo but it was Preston who had the first effort at goal, Neil Mellor blazing over the bar from a Ross Wallace cross.

Moments later a foul on Ben Burgess by Sean St Ledger gave Adam Hammill the opportunity to go for goal from the resulting free-kick. The on-loan Liverpool man forced Andy Lonergan to dive to his left and parry before Gary Taylor-Fletcher looked to force in the rebound but Lonergan reacted quick enough to block the shot for a corner.

The man who originally struck the earlier free-kick wasn't to be denied, however. With ten minutes on the clock ADAM HAMMILL made a run in to the box and fired an unstoppable effort into the top right-hand corner.

BLACKPOOL 1 PRESTON 0

Simon Grayson had earlier in the week mentioned that a Blackpool player could become a hero and Adam Hammill certainly did that. After the last three Blackpool-Preston derbies at Bloomfield Road had ended 0-0, the goal made a welcome relief.

The goal seemed to shellshock the opposition as the Seasiders started to be first to every ball that was contested. Keith Southern, sampling his first Blackpool-Preston fixture was the next player to have a go at goal but his effort flew wide and over.

A great tackle from Ian Evatt prevented Neil Mellor from going in at goal at the other end before Paul Rachubka got down low to save a Sean St Ledger header from the resulting corner.

A stray kick from Paul Rachubka following a back pass from Adam Hammill left Richard Chaplow with an open goal from 30-yards but the former West Brom and Burnley midfielder missed the target.

The Seasiders hit back with a spectacular effort from Adam Hammill on the left but his strike dipped just a little too late to trouble Andy Lonergan. A Chris Brown strike then troubled Paul Rachubka at the other end but he just managed to knock the ball out for a corner after it surprisingly bounced up.

A minute before half-time Ian Evatt saw his header land on the top of the net in the Seasiders closest opportunity since the goal. One minute of added time gave Neil Mellor an opportunity to tee up Chris Brown but Rob Edwards was quick to react to the move and blocked the resulting ball.

HALF-TIME SCORE - BLACKPOOL 1 PRESTON 0

The second-half started pretty low key until Neil Mellor raced into the box and fired wide past the racing Paul Rachubka five minutes in. The chance was a pre-warning for the Seasiders prior to the Lilywhites equalising. Ross Wallace sent a ball in from down the left and CHRIS BROWN headed the ball into the back of the net (55).

BLACKPOOL 1 PRESTON 1

Five minutes after the equaliser Simon Grayson opted to change things around up-front and brought on Steve Kabba for Alan Gow.

The pace of the game seemed to drop somewhat in the second-half as both sides seemed more conservative in possession. It was Preston who had seen more of the ball though and that told when they went ahead. Callum Davidson this time supplied the cross from the left for NEIL MELLOR (68) to head the ball in to the back of the net despite Paul Rachubka getting a hand to the ball. The move was very similar to their opener but this time Mellor was booked for his celebration.

BLACKPOOL 1 PRESTON 2

The second Preston goal prompted the manager to use his other remaining substitutes. Stephen McPhee and debutant Lee Hendrie were the options selected with Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Keith Southern withdrawn. 17 minutes remained on the clock for the Seasiders to get something out of the game.

Despite the subs Preston soon made it three. Neil Mellor sent the ball across goal before Paul McKenna, at the other side of the box, squared the ball in for CHRIS BROWN to prod home and claim his second (77).

BLACKPOOL 1 PRESTON 3

Adam Hammill came very close to pulling a goal back shortly after the third for the Lilywhites but his bending effort just curled the wrong side of the post.

With no other real chances forthcoming the game ended in defeat. In what was a game of two halves, Preston made the most of a better second-half showing.

FULL-TIME SCORE - BLACKPOOL 1 PRESTON 3

Attendance: 9643 (1714 visitors)