Kevin Nolan scored the only goal of the game as Newcastle won 1-0 in the Championship at Preston.
Midfielder nets again to send Toon top
Kevin Nolan delivered another indication of his vital importance to Newcastle with the only goal of the game in Monday's 1-0 Championship win at Preston.
The three points, courtesy of the midfielder's 74th minute goal, allowed Chris Hughton's Magpies to regain a place at the top of the league, while leaving Preston in mid-table obscurity.
A cautious first half at Deepdale, full of missed chances, was only really notable for an aerial clash between Andy Carroll and Neill Collins, with the Newcastle striker accused of elbowing the Preston defender.
The second half then continued in a similar pattern as both Alan Irvine's home side and the visitors failed to display the necessary quality in the attacking third.
Nolan, though, underlined ability which has been labelled before as superior to the second tier of English football when he turned onto a cross to shoot across goal for his ninth of the season in all competitions.
Alan Smith, another player who looks back to his best, played a pivotal role alongside Nolan in the middle of the park. The Magpies skipper showed his stomach for the fight remains firmly intact with a fine display.
Harsh
Defeat was harsh on Preston, who gave Newcastle several worrying moments but lacked the kind of killer finish Nolan provided.
The 27-year-old always has a strike on the opposition goal and in the 14th minute he showed neat footwork to evade the attention of a couple of Preston players and strike a fierce shot from 25 yards which warmed Andy Lonergan's hands.
Moments later, Preston midfielder Richard Chaplow engineered the space to drive a neat, low shot just wide of Steve Harper's goal from distance.
Michael Tonge, handed a debut in midfield for Preston after joining on loan from Stoke, then slashed a left-foot shot narrowly over the crossbar.
For all Newcastle's undoubted class and experience, Preston continued to worry the visiting defence, and in the 17th minute Neil Mellor was afforded the time to rifle a low shot into Harper's midriff at his near post.
The hosts looked particularly dangerous down the flanks and Chris Sedgwick's hanging cross was headed on to the top of the net by fellow winger Paul Parry.
Threat
Smith then rifled the ball just wide in the 37th minute but five minutes later Preston threatened again when Danny Guthrie surrendered possession 35 yards from goal.
Chaplow, having spotted Harper off his line, chipped the ball goalwards but his effort sailed just over the crossbar.
Preston were dealt a bitter blow on the stroke of half-time when Youl Mawene was forced off after sustaining medial ligament damage to his right knee.
His replacement was Liam Chilvers but he was almost caught cold within minutes of the restart when Andy Carroll rifled a low shot just wide.
With 16 minutes remaining, the points went to Newcastle as Guthrie crossed from the right flank and the ball found Nolan lurking on the left the penalty box.
He showed delightful skill to strike a low, left-footed shot into the bottom corner and send Newcastle back to the Championship's summit.
