Jon Parkin had put Preston ahead at Elland Road, but the struggling side looked destined to return to Lancashire empty-handed as two goals from Davide Somma added to strikes from Luciano Becchio and Alex Bruce to put the Yorkshiremen in a commanding position.
However, mimicking the War of the Roses which looked to be going in favour of the house of York before swinging to the Lancastrians, Preston surged back to win.
A second from Parkin gave them hope, Keith Treacy scored to make Preston nervous and Callum Davidson levelled the match from the penalty spot. Parkin put them ahead with his third of the game, and Iain Hume ensured the final score was 6-4 in favour of the visitors.
Queens Park Rangers remain top of the table, but they were held to a goalless draw at home to Millwall, while second-place Cardiff City also drew 0-0 at home to Crystal Palace.
Norwich City are now one point behind Cardiff - although they trail QPR by six - after a 4-3 win over Leicester City, who remain bottom of the table.
Brian Laws is not a popular man with Hull City supporters after his days in charge at Scunthorpe United, so he will have enjoyed seeing his Burnley side secure a 4-0 success over the Tigers at Turf Moor.
Chris Iwelumo and Chris Eagles both scored twice. Hull are 17th, level on points with the Iron but below them thanks to goal difference.
David James' first return to Portsmouth as a Bristol City player was an unhappy experience, as his side were beaten 3-1.
The win moved Pompey out of the relegation zone at the expense of the vanqhuised Robins.
Swansea City ended Watford's impressive run of victories with a 3-2 win at Vicarage Road.
Reading defeated Ipswich 1-0 thanks to a late winner from Simon Church, while Derby County beat Middlesbrough 3-1. Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 with Sheffield United.
Coventry City were 2-1 victors over Doncaster Rovers at the Ricoh Arena.