Points target is close - Irvine

Preston are six points above the bottom three (Getty)

Preston manager Alan Irvine believes his side are close to guaranteeing their Championship survival.

North End reached the 50-point mark following the weekend derby win over Burnley and Irvine says the club's fortunes are now in their own hands.

"I set the target of 54 points back in January," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"That's what we're still aiming for in terms of safety and we're obviously getting close to that total and could get there within the next two games."

We believe that we have to work very hard as a team Alan Irvine

Irvine feels improved workrate has also been a major factor in North End moving out of the bottom three.

"That's been a huge part of their success, we believe that we have to work very hard as a team and if we continue to do that it'll give us a chance of winning games."