BURNLEY suffered a derby day defeat at Deepdale thanks to goals in either half from David Nugent and Patrick Agyemang.

The Clarets' fighting spirit and approach play was every bit as good as their high-flying hosts throughout.

But with goals continuing to be a problem for Steve Cotterill's side England U21 striker Nugent clinically slotted home the crucial opening goal just after the half hour mark.

And after Burnley threatened a second half equaliser and Kyle Lafferty's penalty appeals were waved away with 15 minutes left, second half substitute Agyemang immediately scored Preston's decisive second.

Burnley made three changes following the midweek defeat at Southend.

Andy Gray dropped out of the 16, with Kyle Lafferty handed a starting berth. Winger Steve Jones, who terrorised Graham Alexander in the corresponding fixture at Turf Moor earlier in the season, stepped in along with on-loan Aston Villa midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba.

They replaced Joey Gudjonsson and John McGreal, with the versatile Chris McCann slotting in at centre back as the Clarets looked to end their long run without a win.

And the Clarets almost had the perfect start inside three minutes. Wade Elliott swung over a magnificent deep free kick and Lafferty's fierce header was matched by a brilliant instinctive save from North End keeper Andy Lonergan, via the post.

A rampaging Akinbiyi forced another early corner and Jon Harley blasted a free kick wide as the Clarets continued their lively start.

North End's sole response in the opening quarter hour was a Franck Songo'o shot form distance that flew harmlessly over Danny Coyne's bar.

The battling qualities Steve Cotterill would expect from his players was visible fro all to see as the game continued to bubble under.

But as the half progressed, promotion-chasing North End began to make advances of their own and, in the 33rd minute, the hosts made the crucial breakthrough.

A throw-in was only half cleared by Burnley and when Brett Ormerod chested the ball neatly into the past of David Nugent, the striker needed no second invitation to drill the ball home from 12 yards.

Sean St Ledger's blatant over-reaction to a harmless Jones push soon sparked a melee that raised the temperature another few degrees.

And Jones came close to exacting revenge seven minutes before the break, reacting first to the bouncing ball and cutting back inside to force a fine save from Lonergan with a rasping, low drive.

As half time beckoned back came Preston and Coyne was twice alert, first to hold Chris Sedgwick's ambitious, rising effort from 30 yards and then tipping Michael Duff's inadvertent back header for a corner.

There were no changes at the break, but within two minutes Clarets skipper Steven Caldwell, who, in the first half fell awkwardly on the hand he broke 10 days ago, was substituted for Graham Branch.

The enforced reshuffle saw Duff slide into the centre, Elliott drop to right back, Lafferty pushed wide onto the right and Branch, making only his fifth appearance of the season, join Akinbiyi in attack.

And Branch was almost the instant hero, smashing the ball off the North End woodwork for the second time from 25 yards with Lonergan well beaten.

It was a terrific response by Burnley, who continued to create openings.

McCann's downward header from Elliott's right wing corner was headed off the line by St Ledger and within minutes Lonergan advanced well to punch clear when Akinbiyi latched onto Branch's flick header.

Lafferty thought he might have had a penalty with 15 remaining as he tumbled under Sedgwick's clumsy challenge inside the area.

But fusspot referee Colin Wesbster was having none of it and as North End broke, Nugent set up Agyemang to settle it with a smart finish.

Burnley: Coyne, Harley, Duff, Caldwell (Branch 47), McCann, Elliott, Djemba-Djemba, J O'Connor (Spicer 76), Jones, Lafferty, Akinbiyi.
Subs: Jensen, G O'Connor, Gudjonsson

Booked: McCann 23, Duff 46, Harley 53, Elliott 71, Branch 90

PNE: Lonergan, Alexander, Davidson, Pugh, Sedgwick (Nowland 90), Nugent, St Ledger, Chilvers, Ormerod (Dichio 80), Hill (Agyemang 73), Songo'o.
Subs: Henderson, Soley.

Ref: C Webster

Att: 17,666