TOWN suffered a third straight League I defeat - and still have work to do to clinch a play-off spot.
Preston defender Chris Robertson sealed victory with a close-range finish from Danny Mayor's cross in the 55th minute.
During an even first half, Chris Holroyd hit a post for the home side while Town's Jordan Rhodes was twice thwarted by keeper Thorsten Stuckmann.
Simon Grayson's below-par side slipped to fifth as MK Dons won 3-0 at Scunthorpe and they still need three points to be sure of a top-six finish.
