Stoke took until the 29th minute to go in front when McGlynn’s inswinging left-foot right-wing corner was only half cleared and, when it came back to him, he swung over another inswinging cross with his left foot and Wilmot rose highest at the back post to find the opposite right corner with a firm header.
That half-time lead could have been doubled when North End keeper Daniel Iversen was caught stranded as he attempted to come out to intercept Ethan Galbraith’s cross, and Wilmot’s fellow centre-half partner Luke Graham’s header hit the outside of the post.
But, in the 53rd minute it was 2-0 when Galbraith laid the ball back for August deadline day signing McGlynn’s left foot to register his third goal in seven games.
It could have been more, especially when Iversen made a desperate save to deny Justin Devenny.
But the two goals were more than enough to see off a poor Preston side, who failed to register a single effort on target and already look in big trouble.
The September sacking of Paul Heckingbottom has so far had little effect and his replacement Graham Alexander has picked up just one point from his five games in charge.
Just five points (and one win) from their first 13 games by Halloween is a rather scary prospect.