Jay Fitzmartin continued his comeback with a 90-minute run-out as the Reserves were beaten by Preston.
The striker – whose loan spell at Stalybridge Celtic earlier this season was curtailed by injury – was part of a youthful line-up which was beaten by a goal in each half at the Lostock training ground.
Bambo Diaby and Joe Rodwell-Grant were on target as North End went to the top of the Central League table.
Wanderers’ next reserve fixture is at Walsall on Tuesday 1 March.
Line-up: Hutchinson, Burgess (Frimpong 61), Conway, Halford, Toure, Tweedley, Henry (Shakespeare 74), Pettifer, Fitzmartin, Jones, Olawumi (Kamara 90).