Jermaine Beckford scores shortly before half time to double Preston North End's aggregate lead over Chesterfield in the League One playoff semi-finals.

Jermaine Beckford has fired Preston North End ahead in the second leg of their League One playoff semi-final against Chesterfield at Deepdale this afternoon, giving them a 2-0 aggregate lead.

Jermaine Beckford of Preston North End holds off Sam Hird of Chesterfield to score their first goal during the Sky Bet League One Playoff Semi-Final second leg match between Preston North End and Chesterfield at Deepdale on May 10, 2015 © Getty Images

The visitors made a bright start as they tried to overturn the 1-0 deficit from the first leg, but Sam Clucas saw his first shot of the afternoon blocked on the line.

Joe Murphy, who only joined the club on an emergency loan yesterday, was called into action when Sam Hird squared the ball to Paul Gallagher, but the keeper was able to make the stop.

Clucas continued to cause problems down the other end for the visitors, but he was unable to connect with a cross from Sam Morsy, before beating the offside trap to get another chance moments later, only to see it saved.

Preston made the most of Clucas's missed chances when Joe Garner flicked the ball on following a quick break from Beckford, leaving the forward to hook the ball in on the turn from 10 yards out shortly before the interval.