Two new names in the starting line up and a different formation saw Preston narrowly beat Carlisle.

Michael Conchie started up front due to Ash Higgins having chest pains and in midfield Tomas McMahon replaced Phil Appiah who is suspended for three games.

Coach Jamie Hoyland deserted the standard 4-4-2 formation for the day and played Matty Mainwaring in a free role between midfield and the forwards.

Preston started brightly and took the lead on ten minutes following the first corner of the game. Dominic Collins headed back across and Conchie turned and scored his first goal of the season.

Carlisle then had a good spell and forced Chris Thompson to stretch out to save three times on the trot, but it was PNE skipper Nathan Fairhurst who was celebrating next when he found the target through a 20-yard-free-kick.

Two minutes from the break Carlisle's Andrew Cook reduced the deficit when he sent Thompson the wrong way before putting the ball into an open net.

The Lilywhites had no intentions of letting the visitors come any closer and they regained their two-goal advantage when Ray Shearwood hit a long range effort which cannoned into the goal via a Carlisle player but no one could deny Shearwood the goal.

The home side showed a great attacking attitude in the first half picking up all second balls but took the foot off the gas after the break and Thompson had little time to rest between the posts.

Even though PNE failed to put on the same performance in the second half there were still some bright moments but these threatened to be overshadowed by a terrible incident on 65 minutes.

Goalscorer Michael Conchie injured his back and had to be carried off on a stretcher with his head in a brace awaiting the ambulance.

The temporary break in play seemed to put Preston off their stride and the Cumbrian side pulled a goal back when the unmarked Connor Tinnion scored Carlisle's second.

Both teams seemed a bit fiery towards the end and before the final whistle the linesman had to assist the referee in keeping the sides apart. Dominic Collins had the ball thrown into his face and went head to head with Carlisle's Steven Hindmarch. The pair got booked for their troubles.

Carlisle created a few more scares but Preston managed to keep their visitors at bay and held on to secure all three points.

After the game the condition of Michal Conchie was one of the main talking points and Youth Team Coach Jamie Hoyland showed clear concern about the player's condition: "He had pins and needles in his arms but fingers crossed he was feeling a bit better when he got in the ambulance. You always have to be a bit careful with back injuries."

As for the stir-up at the end Hoyland said: "To me throwing a ball at someone's face is as bad as spitting and sometimes it is difficult to walk away. I don't want them all wrestling but as long as they don't get involved in pushing and shoving I think it just shows a team spirit.

The three goalscorers stood out and Shearwood believes that PNE's youngsters have plenty more to offer: "I played better in the first half and the team did. It was a gritty performance in second half and we had to try and grind the win out.

"We are nowhere near our full potential but we need to start keeping clean sheets."

Preston North End: Chris Thompson, Mike Aspin, Mark Bloxam, Dominic Collins, Ray Shearwood, Danny Mayor, Thomas McMahon, Nathan Fairhurst, Matty Mainwaring (Tom Smyth 67) Arran McCarthy, Michael Conchie (Adam Barton 65).

Unused Subs: Chris Rogers, George Miller, Jack Cudworth.

Bookings: Thomas McMahon (28), Dominic Collins (90).

By Frida Larsson