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Callum Robinson netted twice as Preston reignited their Sky Bet Championship play-off charge with a 5-0 thrashing of Bristol City.
Preston hosted the Robins following disappointing draws against Blackburn and Nottingham Forest but led at half-time thanks to Tom Barkhuizen's sixth goal in as many games.
After the break an Aiden McGeady penalty and a Tom Clarke goal put the game to bed, before Robinson added a quick-fire double to leave Preston eighth - five points off a play-off place.
Early on Preston striker Jordan Hugill blazed over after being put through by team-mate Ben Pearson, before midfielder Paul Gallagher saw an effort turned wide by City stopper Frank Fielding in a lively first five minutes.
With the visitors matching Preston in the opening period, City winger David Cotterill blasted over after linking up with Tammy Abraham.
But North End should have gone ahead on 12 minutes when McGeady was denied by Fielding at close range after Robinson put it on a plate for the Everton loanee.
The Robins hit back with Cotterill blasting an effort straight down Chris Maxwell's throat in the home goal as the visitors worked to prevent Preston establishing a firm grip on the contest.
But next came Barkhuizen's opener on 24 minutes following excellent interplay between McGeady and Robinson to put the Lilywhites ahead.
With an attractive ebb and flow to the contest Maxwell dived low to his left to deny City centre-back Bailey Wright, before McGeady fired wide of Fielding's right-hand post at the other end.
As City began to go a little flat Robinson's attempt to curl an effort just inside Fielding's left-hand post drifted wide, while Hugill saw a shot blocked in the box after being picked out by the influential McGeady.
With the minutes ticking down to the break Maxwell just held on after almost fumbling Cotterill's routine cross as Abraham looked to pounce in a quiet end to the opening period.
Shortly after the restart McGeady slotted home his penalty after Robinson was bundled over in the box by City centre-back Aden Flint.
With the home side now in cruise control Gallagher's free-kick from the right was headed home by Clarke to effectively end the contest.
But the hosts compounded City's misery with Robinson striking on 63 minutes after being set up by Barkhuizen.
And he struck again four minutes later to leave Bristol City just a point outside the relegation zone.
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BRC
