Goals from Brad Potts, Ched Evans and Scott Sinclair saw Preston North End to a comfortable Championship home win over Huddersfield Town to extend the Terriers' miserable run.
Potts' fourth goal of the season gave Preston the lead midway through the first half before Evans doubled the advantage after half-time.
Sinclair then finished a sweeping move to apply the coup de grace 10 minutes from time.
It was just a fifth home win of the season for the hosts, who had only won one of their previous seven matches.
Huddersfield have now only won once in 11 league games and are tumbling towards Championship relegation zone.
Their best moments came in the opening period as Isaac Mbenza had a shot from outside the box and a free-kick smartly saved by Preston goalkeeper Daniel Iversen, who also came off his line quickly to smother Lewis O'Brien's effort.
Huddersfield also had an appeal for a penalty turned down after Fraizer Campbell was tackled by Andrew Hughes.
But it was Preston who took control as Evans and Potts combined twice to put Alex Neil's side on course for victory.
In the first half Evans threaded a pass to send Sinclair in on goal and though Ryan Schofield was quickly off his line to make an initial save, Potts was in the right place to turn home the rebound.
After the break, Potts turned provider when his low cross from the left found Evans in the centre of the goal and his first-time side-foot finish was too good for Schofield.
Preston's day was complete when Tom Barkhuizen's skilful outside-of-the-boot cross was finished first time by Sinclair at the back post.
MACS VIEW
Needed this gives us a lot more breathing space, especially as Wednesday probably suffered a fatal collapse at Luton today, apparently Potts asked to play in his favoured position and there you go goal and assist, pity it didn't dawn on the manager earlier
9 points tops needed to survive a lot easier tonight than it was before kick off
Potts' fourth goal of the season gave Preston the lead midway through the first half before Evans doubled the advantage after half-time.
Sinclair then finished a sweeping move to apply the coup de grace 10 minutes from time.
It was just a fifth home win of the season for the hosts, who had only won one of their previous seven matches.
Huddersfield have now only won once in 11 league games and are tumbling towards Championship relegation zone.
Their best moments came in the opening period as Isaac Mbenza had a shot from outside the box and a free-kick smartly saved by Preston goalkeeper Daniel Iversen, who also came off his line quickly to smother Lewis O'Brien's effort.
Huddersfield also had an appeal for a penalty turned down after Fraizer Campbell was tackled by Andrew Hughes.
But it was Preston who took control as Evans and Potts combined twice to put Alex Neil's side on course for victory.
In the first half Evans threaded a pass to send Sinclair in on goal and though Ryan Schofield was quickly off his line to make an initial save, Potts was in the right place to turn home the rebound.
After the break, Potts turned provider when his low cross from the left found Evans in the centre of the goal and his first-time side-foot finish was too good for Schofield.
Preston's day was complete when Tom Barkhuizen's skilful outside-of-the-boot cross was finished first time by Sinclair at the back post.
MACS VIEW
Needed this gives us a lot more breathing space, especially as Wednesday probably suffered a fatal collapse at Luton today, apparently Potts asked to play in his favoured position and there you go goal and assist, pity it didn't dawn on the manager earlier
9 points tops needed to survive a lot easier tonight than it was before kick off
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?