PRESTON 2 WOLVES 0 RICHARD Cresswell had no problems winning over the North End faithful despite rejecting them twice before.

The striker, on loan until the end of the season at Deepdale, was on the pitch for just five minutes before he tricked his way round the Wolves defence and fired home number two in the 78th minute.

"It was a great start," said the 23-year-old who was watched by the Deepdale outfit when he was at York and Sheffield Wednesday before he moved to Filbert Street eight months ago.

"The crowd gave me a great reception and that gave me a boost as I came on.

"I always believe I have the ability to score goals and it was nice to see it go in.

"I've been in the reserves at Leicester, I haven't had much chance to play first team football and now I'm just glad to be here with a gaffer who believes in me."

Manager David Moyes was delighted with his new boy -- and Preston have agreed a nominal fee for him with Leicester come the end of the season.

"He is a great athlete, he has a decent pace and has a goalscoring pedigree. He just needs somebody to love him and believe in him and give him a real chance."

The game wasn't a classic but that didn't worry North End as another three points -- their sixth win in eight games -- moved them back into the play-off spots.

And the Deepdale fans packed into the Town End were certainly in good voice. The standing area, built in 1904, is now set to be demolished.

Rossendale lad Lee Cartwright had a good chance to open the scoring on 20 minutes but Wolves keeper Michael Oakes pushed the ball round the post.

Lee Naylor came close for Dave Jones's side but Preston keeper Tepi Moilanen, who has been recalled to the Finland squad and could face England in nine days time, was equal to it.

Defender Michael Jackson did well to clear a Michael Branch looping shot off the line before, two minutes before the break, Paul McKenna opened the scoring.

The right winger latched onto Mark Rankine's ball and crashed to ball into the net -- celebrating his fourth of the season with the Town End.

And top scorer Jon Macken had a great chance to increase his tally straight after but Oakes denied the Manchester lad when he tried to chip the keeper.

The second half was a non event until the introduction of Cresswell in the 73rd minute.

The Wolves defence couldn't cope with his height and strength and he immediately made an impression. Rankine once more found his man and Cresswell raced into the area past the static defence, and fired low into the net.

Macken shot inches wide with the last kick of the game but it didn't matter -- the home fans were happy Moyes has uncovered another gem.