Pictures and analysis of Preston 1 Shrewsbury 2

There was more than an ironic twist at Deepdale as Shrewsbury caught out controversial Preston manager Graham Westley with a well-timed finish.

Skipper Matt Richards demonstrated his late penalty miss at Swindon a fortnight ago was a rare aberration as he held his nerve to send Thorsten Stuckmann the wrong way for Town's last-minute winner.

It was the perfect smash-and-grab raid after his side had spent much of the game on the back foot.

With barely no time to react, Westley's uninventive side were heading for another home hammer blow which left their faithful baying for the blood of the former Stevenage boss at the final whistle.

Perfect timing by Salop. And time appears to feature large in Westley management style. It was suggested Stevenage's players used to orchestrate carefully planned "time-outs" so their manager could bark out new instructions during games.

And since taking over ailing Preston a year ago, Westley has acquired something of a reputation for keeping the media waiting for several hours before delivering his statistically-obsessed post mortems.

Claiming his side had carved out 18 goal-scoring opportunities to Shrewsbury's six, he was at loss to understand why his side had not registered their first win since September 29.

However, a complete overhaul of personnel such as the one Westley has overseen is always a risk; throw in injuries to key players and the reliance on youngsters such as full-back Ben Davies, who in only his second game tripped Marvin Morgan for the decisive penalty, and you have problems.

Salop fans won't be too bothered, though, as their men recorded only a second victory away from the Greenhous Meadow.

Solid defence laid the foundations for success on a dreadfully poor surface, which mitigated against passing football.

Jon Taylor blasted Town level after the break with as eye-catching a finish as Stuart Beavon had conjured for the hosts on the half-time whistle.

Richards' winner delighted the visiting fans who were probably happy settling for a fourth draw in five games.

But the prospect that drawing too many games could drag their side into a relegation battle has loomed large.

So this victory has offered a welcome eight-points breathing space, particularly timely ahead of a tough schedule – which includes games against promotion-chasing Sheffield United and Doncaster – and bearing in mind all of the bottom four have two more games to play.

It wasn't pretty, as doubtless very much has been at Deepdale this season, but Graham Turner's men were strong enough to repel North End's direct assault.

Yado Mambo did his case for a prolonged stay as Darren Jones's partner no harm with another composed display.

The experience of new loan signing Rob Edwards wasn't required as Mambo and Cameron Gayle made vital clearances.

None more so than when the latter hooked Graham Cummins' shot off the line soon after Taylor's thunderous strike squared the game.

The first 45 was devoid of quality at both ends save for Beavon's peach of an opener.

Luke Rodgers, winning his shirt back up front from Tom Bradshaw, saw little service and while Marvin Morgan ran himself into the ground there was little of anything clear cut for the visitors.

David McAllister lifted a header from a Morgan cross over and offered Stuckmann a routine save.

North End's shooting was wayward in the extreme until former Wycombe man Beavon unleashed from nearly 30 yards, curling a right-footer beyond Chris Weale into the far corner (44).

Paul Parry's introduction at the restart sharpened Town's attacking. And the ex-Wales international offered quality on the ball when he cut in from the left to tee up Taylor. The Liverpudlian's shot from just inside the box was too powerful for Stuckmann (64).

After Gayle's defensive heroics, Weale earned his corn by keeping out Cummins' far-post header before the young Irish striker skied a volley horribly.

But that wasn't as misjudged as 17-year-old Davies' lunge at Morgan as he cut in on the right of the area after Steve McGinn's neat pass took out two defenders.

Inexperience ultimately proved costly for Westley and North End then. Experience, such as that possessed by Richards, could be the key to see Shrewsbury out of trouble in the coming weeks.

By Gwyn Griffiths