A brace from Christopher Samba followed a strike from Andre Ooijer as Rovers ended their pre-season preparations with a comfortable 3-0 win at Deepdale.

Preston North End were no match for their Premier League opposition as Rovers dominated the game from start to finish in a game that saw debuts for new signing Roque Santa Cruz, young defender Martin Olsson and the return of Brett Emerton.

Dutchman Andre Ooijer gave Rovers a first minute lead, touching home David Bentley's centre, but two headed goals from Christopher Samba in seven second half minutes but the game beyond the home side.

Mark Hughes was able to give Roque Santa Cruz his first taste of English football with thirty minutes of action, the former Bayern Munich striker was perhaps unfortunate not to mark his debut with a goal when he beat Henderson to the ball but put his header narrowly wide.

In the end the scoreline perhaps flattered Preston North End as they offered very little going forward, a speculate effort from Kevin Nichols that bounced off the top of the bar their sole effort on target.

Rovers got off to the best possible start, taking the lead inside the opening minute. Jason Roberts had been fouled and from David Bentley's free-kick from the left defender Andre Ooijer applied the final touch before the ball hit the back of the net.

Mark Hughes side dominated the majority of the first half, looking comfortable and energetic in possession, Pedersen had the ball in the back of the net on 19 minutes but it was chalked off as Roberts had run into an offside position before delivering the ball to the Norwegian.

For Preston, summer signing from Leeds United Kevin Nichols had their best chance of the opening half, the midfielder hit a Stephen Warnock clearance first time at goal, Rovers 'keeper Brad Friedel watched the ball sail over his head but was perhaps relieved to see the ball bounce off the top of the cross bar.

The home side's cause wasn't helped by an injury to striker Neil Mellor. The former Liverpool and Wigan frontman required treatment early on, but managed just 39 minutes before being replaced by Hawley.

As the game drifted towards half-time Rovers very nearly doubled their lead, Morten Gamst Pedersen's centre was headed down by Roberts, Stephen Warnock managed to stop the ball from going behind for a goal kick and in turn set up Benni McCarthy who struck the ball hard and low from 15 yards only to see former Rovers defender Callum Davidson slide in to make an important blocks.

Brett Emerton made his return to action for Rovers following his summer representing Australia in the AFC Asian Cup, the full-back replacing goalscorer Andre Ooijer at the break, the Australian quickly getting up to speed with play.

It was Emerton's fellow defender Christopher Samba who doubled Rovers' lead on 50 minutes, again it was from a free-kick, but this time it was Morten Gamst Pedersen with the delivery into the area, and the giant Congo international was criminally unmarked to head past a static Wayne Henderson.

The same duo combined for Rovers' third seven minutes later, David Bentley's excellent run and cross almost netted an own goal as Liam Chilvers had to clear the ball in front of his goal, but from Morten Gamst Pedersen's inswinging corner kick, Christopher Samba was there once again to power the ball home.

Rovers fans had to wait until the 64th minute to see their first glimpse of latest signing Roque Santa Cruz, the Paraguayan wasted little time in getting involved, powering a header just wide from a right wing cross from Matt Derbyshire.

There was also a first team debut for Martin Olsson. Fresh from being awarded squad number 29 at the end of the week, the 19 year-old Swede would have undoubtedly enjoyed his thirty minutes at left back.

There were no further goals from Rovers at Deepdale, Paul Gallagher twice went close, whilst Sean St Ledger headed over from a Nichols free-kick at the other end, but it was a rare chance for the home side on an otherwise one-sided affair.

Mark Hughes will no doubt take plenty of positives out of Rovers' final pre-season match. The victory is always appreciated, but three goals from set-plays, the amount of possession, the variety of Rovers' attacks and their range of passing will give the manager and fans alike plenty to look forward to this coming season.

So next stop The Riverside Stadium where the real action begins next Saturday.

PRESTON: Henderson, Alexander (sub Jones 64 mins), Davidson (sub Neal 64 mins), Pugh, Mawene, Sedgwick, Chilvers (sub St Ledger 64 mins), Whaley, Omerod, Nichols, Mellor (sub Hawley 39 mins).

Subs not used: Lonergan, Anyinsah.

ROVERS: Friedel, Ooijer (sub Emerton 46 mins), Samba, Nelsen, Warnock (sub Olsson 64 mins), Bentley (sub Gallagher 75 mins), Dunn (sub Tugay 75 mins), Mokoena (sub Savage 46 mins), Pedersen (sub Rigters 77 mins), McCarthy (sub Santa Cruz 64 mins), Roberts (sub Derbyshire 64 mins).

Subs: Brown, Khizanishvili.

Attendance: 8,565