West Ham

Jimmy Walker: Only had to make two saves before he was carried off with a bad knee injury six minutes from full-time.

Tomas Repka: Nearly scored his first goal for West Ham in what is possibly his final game and reliable when required to defend.

Chris Powell: Whipped in a superb early cross but at times looked a little bit shaky when he was left exposed one on one.

Anton Ferdinand: Sometimes exposed in the air but defended resolutely against the inevitable late Preston pressure.

Elliott Ward: Like the other Hammers defenders had little to do until late on when he was forced to produce a great clearance.

Nigel Reo-Coker: Gave a busy display. Starred early on and produced a sublime through-ball to set up Zamora in the second half.

Hayden Mullins: Tried his best but had little real impact and was the least visible of the West Ham midfield quartet.

Shaun Newton: Set up Repka early on and then headed off the line well early in the second half in a tidy but not spectacular display.

Matthew Etherington: Sent over some challenging balls from the left flank and his teasing cross set up West Ham's goal.

BOBBY ZAMORA: Missed a great chance on the hour but linked play well and hit the winner before being replaced.

Marlon Harewood: Put himself about but apart from his physical threat and one glancing header he offered little.

Substitutes

Christian Dailly (Replaced Zamora, 73 minutes): Came on for scorer Zamora and did his part as the Hammers defended well.

Mark Noble (Replaced Newton, 81 minutes): Had little chance to show his ability but did his bit as West Ham held on.

Stephen Bywater (Replaced Walker, 84 minutes): Saved the free-kick awarded against Walker but too little time to impress.

Manager

Alan Pardew: Went defensive when he replaced striker Zamora with defender Dailly but it paid off as he ushered the Hammers back into the Premiership.

Preston

Carlo Nash: Pulled off stunning saves from Etherington and Zamora and could do nothing with West Ham's goal.

Youl Mawene: Made a fantastic goal-line clearance and some vital interceptions but was out of position in the build up to the winner.

Matt Hill: Caught out when Repka nearly scored early on but otherwise solid and almost teed up a late equaliser with a wicked cross.

Claude Davis: An awkward but effective display. Made full of use of pace and power to cover the odd lapse but had one or two scary moments.

Chris Lucketti: Dependable and dominant in the air but never looked entirely happy against West Ham's pacy front pairing.

Brian O'Neil: A tricky start against a tenacious midfield but settled and his experience, quality and composure showed.

Chris Sedgwick: Plenty of effort but struggled to make an impact and failed to deliver any telling balls into the box.

Paul McKenna: Delivered a succession of deadly set-pieces and was the pick of the Preston midfield. Battled superbly and showed lovely touch.

Eddie Lewis: Posed a threat down the left flank when in possession but didn't get as much ball as he or Preston would have liked.

David Nugent: A willing runner and always a danger but had to settle for scraps. Almost equalised after a mazy run and shot after the break.

Richard Cresswell: Anonymous in the first half but showed some neat touches. Saw a fine header cleared off the line and also volleyed just wide.

Substitutes

Patrick Agyemang (Replaced Sedgwick, 71 minutes): Had one or two powerful surges but was unable to get in a position to supply a telling pass.

Dickson Etuhu (Replaced O'Neil, 82 minutes): Hardly involved after coming on late as Preston were forced to look for the long ball with time running out.

Graham Alexander (Replaced Mawene, 87 minutes):
Not on long enough to make an impact.

Manager