Thistle stun struggling Preston at home

Preston ATHLETIC remain in the relegation zone after Thistle came from behind to stun the East Lothian side with a second-half onslaught.

The home side took the lead in the 33rd minute when Wilson took on his marker down the left wing and cut in a tempting ball to Marc Lothian who fired in from short range.

Preston's lead lasted all of 90 seconds however, as Ross angled in a cross to set Stuart up with the equaliser.

Thistle took control of the game with a 15-minute scoring blitz after the restart. Ross put the visitors in front in the 51st minute. Omar Ali was denied by a fingertip save from Gilpin two minutes later but slotted in another in the 56th minute. Kelly rifled in a fourth for the visitors on the hour mark before a Stewart cross was deflected into his own net by Costello.

Substitute Mark Pagliarulo hit a late consolation goal for Preston in the 85th minute.

Preston Athletic: Gilpin, Gary McColl (Martin 81), Kennedy, Costello (Pagliarulo 81), Scott, McAuley, Lothian, McColl, Miller, Perry, Wilson. Subs: Collins, Lee, Laidlaw.

Lothian Thistle: Swain, Wallace, D McAleavy, Young, McDiarmid, C McAleavy, Kelly, McDonaugh (Wilkes 66), Ali, Ross (Butler 72), Stewart. Subs: Dignan, Ogilvie.

Preston Athletic 2

Lothian Thistle 5