Francis Jeffers converted a late penalty to lift Sheffield Wednesday out of the relegation zone with their first win in seven games. Preston opened the scoring when Karl Hawley seized on Lee Bullen's under-hit back-pass and calmly slotted home.
But the Owls improved in the second half and Akpo Sodje levelled from close range five minutes after the re-start.
On 82 minutes Matt Hill was penalised for handling in the box and substitute Jeffers scored from the spot.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws on goalscorers Akpo Sodje and Francis Jeffers:
"We've asked them both to come off the treatment table and play and they've been magnificent, especially Akpo - who's come through two 90-minute appearances in the space of a few days. "I thought both teams were poor in the first half but we were more positive in the second half and we got a little bit of fortune for the equaliser.
"It was a scrappy game and we needed a spark. The supporters did their bit by really getting behind us."
Preston manager Alan Irvine:
"I'm very disappointed. I felt that we were in a great position at half-time. "I told the players that if we did the basics right, I thought we would win the game.
"We had a couple of really good chances in the second half and the game could have gone either way."
Sheff Wed: Grant, Bullen, Hinds, Beevers, Spurr, Whelan, O'Brien, Johnson (Esajas 46), Folly (Tudgay 72), Burton (Jeffers 46), Sodje.
Subs Not Used: Gilbert, Lunt.
Booked: Spurr.
Goals: Sodje 51, Jeffers 82 pen.
Preston: Lonergan, Davidson, St. Ledger, Chilvers, Hill, Carter, Whaley, McKenna, Lewis Neal (Ormerod 88), Hawley (Mellor 79), Gallagher (Carroll 79).
Subs Not Used: Chris Neal, Sedgwick.
Booked: Hill, McKenna.
Goals: Hawley 35.
Att: 20,690
Ref: Keith Hill (Hertfordshire).
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