Result: Hartlepool United 0-1 Preston North End

Neil Mellor scored the only goal of the game as Preston beat Hartlepool 1-0 at Victoria Park tonight.

Both sides headed into the game in poor form, but it was North End who halted their bad run by recording their first win in ten league games.

Former Liverpool striker Mellor scored the Preston winner when he cut inside from the left and sent a curling shot past Scott Flinders.

However the home side, who have now lost seven straight league matches at Victoria Park, were unlucky not to get a result as they created the game's better chances.

They were up against a Preston keeper in fine form as Thorsten Stuckmann twice denied James Poole an equaliser.

Stuckman also saved well from former Newcastle midfielder Nolberto Solano as Phil Brown's side hung on to claim victory and move level on points with their opponents in the League One table.