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Jermaine Beckford has scored 12 league goals for Preston North End this season

Preston North End took a step closer to the Championship with a crucial win at relegation-threatened Notts County.

Jermaine Beckford put the visitors ahead with a flick and cool finish, before League One's top scorer Joe Garner netted his 22nd of the season to give Preston a half-time lead.

After the break, County's Jimmy Spencer lashed in but Beckford smashed home his second to give Preston three points.

The Lilywhites will seal promotion with wins in their final two games.

League One battle for promotion and survival Preston North End remaining games: Swindon (h), Colchester (a) Notts County remaining fixtures: Doncaster (h), Gillingham (a)

Simon Grayson's side, who are now unbeaten in 17 league matches, can guarantee a return to the second tier of English football for the first time since 2010-11 if they beat Swindon and MK Dons lose at Rochdale at the weekend.

Preston, who had thrown away leads in their last three games, had goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to thank six minutes from time as he pulled off a superb save with his legs to deny Garry Thompson and keep the score at 2-1.

Notts County have now failed to win in 11 games and sit two points from safety with just six points left to play for.