Blackpool 4-2 Preston: Jerry Yates nets two as Seasiders win breathless derby
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Charlie Patino's excellent strike put Blackpool back in front against Preston
Two goals from top scorer Jerry Yates and a lovely strike from Charlie Patino helped Blackpool edge Preston in a pulsating west Lancashire derby at Bloomfield Road.
After Yates had nodded the Seasiders into the lead from close range, North End levelled with a Ben Whiteman penalty.
Against the run of play after the break, on-loan Arsenal midfielder Patino drilled a left-footed effort from 20 yards past Freddie Woodman to restore Blackpool's lead.
Yates' second header with eight minutes left gave the hosts some breathing space and they survived a barnstorming finish after a Callum Connolly own goal made it 3-2, with CJ Hamilton sealing victory with Woodman out of his goal after going up for a corner.
The win was only Blackpool's second in eight games as North End missed the chance to climb into the Championship's top six.
The 97th meeting between these two rivals started in breathless fashion in the lunchtime sunshine at a bouncing Bloomfield Road with Preston shading the opening exchanges as Emil Riis and fit-again Liam Lindsay went close.
Blackpool's Brad Potts warmed Chris Maxwell's hands from a tight angle before the Seasiders sent the home fans wild when, from a free-kick, Yates nodded home Gary Madine's flick-on from a few yards.
The visitors responded with a Riis shot comfortably saved by Maxwell before the Dane was fouled in the box by Blackpool captain Marvin Ekpiteta following a strong run. Whiteman emphatically cracked the spot-kick down the middle to equalise.
Preston swarmed over the Tangerines early in the second half but found the home side's defence in resolute mood and their resilience was rewarded when Patino pinged in his cracker to restore their lead.
Despite more Preston pressure, Blackpool settled their nerves when Yates leapt to power in his eighth of the season from Patino's cross - scoring twice for the third time in four matches.
That only set the game up for another twist as Ched Evans made a nuisance of himself in a scramble in the box that saw the ball go in off the post via Connolly.
Preston threw everything at Blackpool in search of an equaliser but their endeavour ultimately sealed their fate when Hamilton extinguished their hopes with a fourth in the fifth minute of added-on time.
With goalkeeper Woodman up for a corner, Hamilton was sent clear to stroke home into an unguarded net and seal the points.
Blackpool manager Michael Appleton told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"I feel fantastic after that and why shouldn't we? It's been a tough few weeks. The atmosphere was incredible.
"We've shown we're capable of scoring goals and the players showed a lot of character.
"It's always crucial going ahead in games because it makes you a bit freer, which is difficult in a derby.
"We looked really threatening and put them under pressure. After a difficult week, I'll enjoy this one."
Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"It definitely wasn't a 4-2. Before they scored their second, it looked like only one team was going to create more chances.
"But our final third was lacking in quality. I said to the group you have to punish teams when you're on top and we couldn't do it.
"We're playing some good football and you can see that. We've just got to keep working to get better."