A late goal from Matt Jansen was enough to rubber-stamp Blackburn Rovers' return to the Premiership last night as they made good their promise to win promotion in memory of their benefactor, Jack Walker, who died in August.

Their supporters sang Walker's name on the final whistle and the former owner's millions will allow manager Graeme Souness to strengthen a team which looks capable of holding its own in the top flight.

For long periods it seemed as if they were intent on taking the promotion race with Bolton Wanderers to the final day of the season, but Jansen's 72ndminute header changed the whole picture and, after Jon Macken had rattled their post with a low shot in stoppage time, Blackburn's fate was secured.

Any thoughts that Preston would offer only token resistance soon dissipated. A number of strong challenges in the opening minutes were testimony to the home team's commitment.

Gradually, though, Souness' team began to pick their way through the home defence. Damien Johnson had an effort disallowed after committing a foul in the build-up, while a delightful dummy by Mark Hughes in the 20th minute almost unlocked the door for Garry Flitcroft but the captain's shot was deflected just wide.

Craig Short and Jansen also came close with headers as Blackburn pressed forward and it required the outstretched leg of David Lucas to keep Hughes at bay after another flowing move.

Preston may have been restricted to counter-attacking but that tactic would have reaped dividends for Lee Cartwright had the midfielder kept his composure after sprinting clear of John Curtis.

It could have been worse still for Souness's increasingly agitated team just before the interval. Brian Barry-Murphy had the ball in the net but, like Johnson's earlier effort, his attempt was disallowed for a foul.

PRESTON: Lucas, Alexander, Edwards, Gregan, Kidd, Cartwright, Anderson (Gunnlaugsson 73), Rankine (Keene 58), BarryMurphy, Macken, Cresswell (Healy 78). Subs Not Used: Lonergan, Eaton. Booked: Gregan.

BLACKBURN: Friedel, Curtis, Short, Berg, Johnson (Hignett 62), Gillespie, Flitcroft, Dunn, Duff, Jansen, Hughes (Bent 58). Subs Not Used: Filan, Taylor, McAteer. Booked: Dunn, Flitcroft, Jansen. Goals: Jansen 72.

Referee: R Pearson (Peterlee).