It's a huge week for Sunderland with their FA Cup derby against Newcastle to come on Saturday but this is the right result to warm up for it.

Michael Beale will certainly want more from his team next weekend, and you'd imagine they'll rise to the occasion.

Gary Bennett
Ex-Sunderland defender on BBC Radio Newcastle

Sunderland have struggled to get going in this second half. It seems like they have switched off.

Luke O'Nien mops up again at the back as Liam Millar and Preston vaguely threaten.

Millar then runs into Jenson Seelt and is again repelled.

Sunderland have had his number today.

First time I've seen Liam Millar drop the shoulder and beat a man for Preston this afternoon, and he does it beautifully down the left.

It's a full, thickly struck cross to the back-post. Brad Potts watches it, waits for it, and then clumsily whacks it high and wide of the target.

Wasn't an easy take, but that wasn't up to his standard.

Jenson Seelt and Eliezer Mayenda come on for Sunderland, as Jobe Bellingham and Alex Pritchard receive their requisite receptions following a good 85 minutes' work.

Luke O'Nien clears the decks for Sunderland with a marauding run to take them away from their own penalty area.

Jack Clarke gets it left side, sets off on another menacing shuffle before sliding through for Jobe Bellingham, but he can't gather and Preston survive the attack.

Sunderland centre-half Dan Ballard has to be alert to get back and snuff out Milutin Osmajic's goal hopes for Preston.

Timothee Pembele leapt and missed, and the Montenegro forward was on his bike before Ballard stepped across.

It's not come together for Mads Frokjaer today. He's replaced by Preston teammate and compatriot Emil Riis.

The striker only returned from a severe knee injury against Sheffield Wednesday last time out.

Craig Hignett
Former Middlesbrough and Blackburn midfielder on BBC Radio Lancashire

Preston just need to create a little bit of panic, Sunderland haven't panicked at all.

There is no urgency.

Mads Frokjaer is picked out on the right by the ball wide, but the Preston man's cross is absorbed by Sunderland's defence.

They just can't find that killer pass.

Nazariy Rusyn gets a standing ovation for his tireless running for Sunderland and his first goal.

He makes way for Abdoullah Ba, and another positional switch up for Michael Beale.

More intricate from Preston as they try to pick the Sunderland lock, but it's Dan Neil who swipes it from Brad Potts.

Jordan Storey does a superb job to skip back and nick the ball away from Trai Hume as he clambers into the box for Sunderland.

Then, a Liam Lindsay ball forward sends Preston striker Milutin Osmajic on the run. He and Sunderland's Luke O'Nien tussle before the Montenegrin hits the deck. No free-kick says Oliver Langford.

The same thing then occurs as Osmajic chases a Ben Whiteman pass round the back. Needs to be careful does O'Nien.

There's definitely more bite from Preston in midfield, but in terms of quality and refinement with the ball, we're yet to see it.

Brad Potts leaves a bit on Trai Hume in a 60-40 with the Sunderland man, and is penalised for it.

Ended up booting him as he got there a second late.

Craig Hignett
Former Middlesbrough and Blackburn midfielder on BBC Radio Lancashire

There doesn't look like there is a belief in Preston that they're going to get back in the game.

Sunderland make a change. Aji Alese's first game back sees him withdrawn for Timothee Pembele.

He gone to the right with Trai Hume switching back to the left.

Preston power forward through Mads Frokjaer.

The Dane has Brad Potts cruising away outside him, but the pass is woefully overhit and shoots behind.

Wasteful.

Image source, rex

Craig Hignett
Former Middlesbrough and Blackburn midfielder on BBC Radio Lancashire

It's there for Preston, Sunderland aren't at it, and the crowd are getting frustrated.

Milutin Osmajic and Will Keane are sent on for Ali McCann and Ched Evans.

Preston look like they're going two up top perhaps?