Both sides were reduced to 10 men before the end of the first half, with Denis Odoi and Joe Rafferty getting straight reds after Sean Maguire had opened the scoring.
David Nugent got his first goal back at PNE in the second half and it proved to be the winner after Aleksandar Mitrovic saw his deflected effort hit the back of the net with just under 10 minutes to go.
1. Declan Rudd - 7
A solid night for the North End stopper, although he didn't have much to do. Did well to claim balls into the box and help stifle Mitrovic. Couldn't do much about the goal.
2. Patrick Bauer - 8
Back in the side and it was like he'd never been away. Refused to be bullied by Mitrovic who was quiet all night, but for his mandatory goal, that was deflected. A real force at the back.
3. Andrew Hughes - 7
Much better than a rusty showing at QPR, he was solid all night. Provides more going forward thanks to him being naturally left footed and put in some nice whipped crosses from that flank.
4. Ben Pearson - 7
In a word, lucky. Should have been sent off for a two footed challenge that was only punished with a yellow, but was otherwise his usual self putting out fires. Ran a fine line and was eventually subbed as precaution.