Striker Neil Mellor leads a host of players put on the transfer-list along with Eddie Nolan, Stephen Elliott, Neill Collins, Neal Trotman, Michael Hart, RichardChaplow and Darren Carter.
The opening half was largely devoid of inspiration and often resembled a meaningless end-of-season encounter until Richard Chaplow's outswinging corner fell to Jones, who took one touch to control the ball and another to fire high into the net from six yards.
Ferguson was given a warm reception as he made his Deepdale entrance, and Preston almost gave him the perfect start after only seven minutes when keeper Hilario, deputising for the rested Petr Cech, had to be alert to beat RichardChaplow to Chris Brown's header.