Lewis Dobbin looks on as the ball loops in for Preston's equaliser
Brad Potts scored for the second game in a row as Preston North End came from behind to beat struggling Charlton Athletic at the Valley.
The Addicks, who are now just five points above the Championship relegation zone after a fifth home defeat in six games, led when Joe Rankin-Costello swept the ball home following a long throw.
But the impressive Potts teed up Preston's leveller seven minutes later when he sent through Lewis Dobbin to beat Will Mannion with a looping header.
The visitors then began to take control and created the better chances, notably when Alfie Devine forced Mannion into a decent save.
But Mannion was powerless to prevent Potts grabbing the winner in the second half, the striker running on to a fine Dobbin pass and finishing calmly.
Wins for lowly Portsmouth and Oxford United mean the threat of relegation still remains for the Addicks, who have lost three in a four-game winless run - and six consecutive league games against North End.
A bright start had raised hopes of a win that would have gone a long way to easing those relegation fears, with Rankin-Costello heading a Tyreece Campbell's cross against the post just before he did find the back of the net.
The lead was short-lived, Dobbin's controlled header ensuring the teams went in level.
Preston's increasing pressure and threat led to them going ahead with 25 minutes left when Dobbin burst forward on the counter-attack and found Potts, who scored his second goal in six days - following up on his goal against QPR on Monday.
Charlton almost snatched a point late on but keeper Daniel Iversen pulled off an excellent stop to deny Lloyd Jones and earn his side just their third win in 16 Championship matches.
Post-match reaction
Nathan Jones post Preston North End
Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones told BBC London:
"We started really well, got the goal and had a number of chances to get further ahead.
"But we switched off and lost shape at a set play and they scored from it. They started the second half better and we're lethargic and they score after we give the ball away.
"Then we throw everything at them and have a number of chances and can't score which is pretty much what has been happening.
"The home form is concerning. My worry is that for all our play we don't have the conversion rate we need to win games. we had a number of chances today but cannot score."
Heckingbottom: 'It was hard earned'
Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"I'm really pleased. It was hard earned and we had to show everything. The game started really fast and it was to and fro until they scored, when I thought we got a lot more control of the game.
"We scored a good goal, made some really good opportunities and we came out in the second half and were the same again
"But whenever you don't get that two-goal margin you know you will have to defend.
"Charlton are at their most dangerous when they are direct so it made for a nervy finish and we had to defend the box.
"There were some really good challenges, headers and blocks. We expected it and knew we had to do it. We stood up and were really good value."
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