Brett Ormerod set up Preston striker David Nugent for his eighth goal of the season as the Coca-Cola Championship high-flyers took three points home from the north-east of England.

The goal came against the run of play as Ormerod found the 21-year-old to head home from close range after 36 minutes.

The Black Cats dominated early on and Liam Miller made visiting goalkeeper Carlo Nash earn his money after six minutes with a left-foot shot from 25 yards out.

Then Dwight Yorke and Daryl Murphy both came close to opening the scoring before Preston hit the net.

Keane made a tactical substitution at the start of the second half, taking off Yorke for Republic of Ireland striker Stephen Elliott. But it was Nugent who came close to doubling Preston's lead on the hour mark only for Nosworthy to clear.