Rovers went down by three goals to nil at a damp Deepdale on Tuesday evening.
In relentless rain Sam Allardyce's side were undone by two first half headed goals from North End striker Paul Hayes, and a generous penalty decision just before the hour mark saw Chris Brown add a third as Rovers tasted defeat for the first time this pre-season.
With a game against Huddersfield Town scheduled 24 hours later, Sam Allardyce chose to mix the first-team squad between both games.
Rovers started initially at Deepdale with their favoured pre-season formation of 3-5-2. Jones, Chimbonda and Givet ahead of goalkeeper Paul Robinson, a midfield five of Salgado, Dunn, Andrews, Nzonzi and Olsson, with Morten Gamst Pedersen supporting Junior Hoilett up front.
It was Morten Gamst Pedersen who had the first effort at goal on 13 minutes when following a foul on Junior Hoilett Rovers were rewarded with a free-kick 25 yards out. The Norwegian stepped up but his effort just skimmed the top of a head in the wall and flew narrowly over.
But with Preston's first meaningful attack they took the lead. It was a goal of simplicity as former Rovers defender Callum Davidson sent a ball into the box from the left and Paul Hayes time his run perfectly to ghost between Chimbonda and Jones to glance a header past Robinson.
That was also the cue for Rovers to make an enforced change as Martin Olsson limped off, Alan Judge his 19th minute replacement.
The 2000 or so Rovers fans were giving great backing to their team, but on a soggy pitch chances were few and far between.
Junior Hoilett was denied by Lonergan after Nzonzi's fine flick, then after a pass from Phil Jones the Canadian fired narrowly over.
As the half drew to a close the home side were handed a generous free-kick decision by the referee and Preston took full advantage. Again it was a former Rovers player who was the provider as Keith Treacy sent a ball in from the left and again it was Paul Hayes to head home.
The referee may have changed his shirt at half time as it did rather clash with Rovers' shirts, but it didn't stop his over the top officiating. Time after time he baffled the Rovers players with his bizarre decisions that were almost exclusively in the home side's favour.
This was exemplified in a two minute spell just before the hour mark when Morten Gamst Pedersen appeared to be brought down just inside the Preston half, the referee was unmoved until a similar tackle on a Preston player resulted in a free-kick drawing questions from the side wearing red.
And it was from the free-kick that Graham Salisbury drew anger from the Rovers players once again as Michel Salgado and Sean St Ledger rose to challenge for the ball in the box, the Preston defender fell to the ground and the referee pointed to the spot.
Chris Brown made no mistake from the spot, as Paul Robinson dived in the opposite direction.
Youngsters Zac Aley, Rodrigo Branco and Matthew Pearson were all given an outing in the closing stages, their first taste of football at this level.
Despite the damp conditions the travelling Rovers supporters were unwavering in their backing, unfortunately the team didn't give them the result they craved.
Rovers are back in action on Wednesday night when they travel to the Galpharm Stadium to face Huddersfield Town.
PRESTON: Lonergan, Gray (sub Brown 46 mins), Davidson, St. Leger, Morgan, Jones (sub McLaughlin 78 mins), Mayor, Coutts (sub Miller 85 mins), Brown (sub Dougan 73 mins), Hayes (sub Proctor 88 mins), Treacy (sub Douglas 88 mins).
Subs not used: Arestidou, Collins, Wright.
ROVERS: Robinson (c), Salgado, Olsson (sub Judge 19 mins), Jones, Chimbonda, Givet, Andrews, Dunn (sub Branco 76 mins), Hoilett, Nzonzi, Pedersen (sub Aley 60 mins).
Subs not used: Fielding, Marrow, Morris, Pearson, Potts.
Attendance: 5,067
