Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Preston North End 3: Report
Stephen Elliott came back to haunt former club Wolves with a brace that helped Preston to a deserved victory against the Coca-Cola Championship leaders.
The lively striker, who completed a move to North End from Molineux back in September, pulled the visitors level at the near post shortly after goalkeeper Andy Lonergan's shocking error gave Wolves the lead in the 20th minute.
The shotstopper made a complete error of judgment and lashed his clearance straight at Sylvan Ebanks-Blake who took advantage and converted his unexpected one-on-one chance.
Sean St Ledger headed Preston into a 2-1 lead after a goalmouth scramble just four minutes before the interval, and it was up to Elliott to wrap things up in the 61st minute against a Wolves side who looked slightly off the pace in their first game of 2009.
The result, only Wolves' second defeat in their last 14 games, means Reading remain four points behind Mick McCarthy's side at the top of the table while Preston are up one place to sixth.
Wolves started the brighter of the two sides and imposed their game on the visitors from the off.
Michael Kightly had the first real opportunity after 18 minutes following some neat interchange inside the area, but his tame shot was easily saved by Lonergan.
But Wolves took the lead out of nowhere two minutes later.
Lonergan's attempted clearance from inside the area fell straight to Ebanks-Blake and the striker slotted calmly past the goalkeeper.
Kightly blasted over minutes later before Carl Ikeme was called into action to tip Elliott's effort over the bar at the other end.
But Elliott was not to be denied against his former employers and he stabbed home Ross Wallace's cross at the near post to bring Preston level after 24 minutes.
The Irishman was enjoying his first return to Molineux and he came within a
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