Daniel Johnson and Jermaine Beckford gave Preston a 2-0 win over Peterborough United to boost to their promotion hopes.The deadlock was broken after 37 minutes when Johnson, on loan from Aston Villa, curled in from 22 yards.Joe Garner flashed a 20-yard shot wide and Johnson's powerful shot from distance cleared the crossbar before the break.Paul Gallagher missed the chance to double the advantage, curling wide from the edge of the box, before Callum Robinson tested Posh goalkeeper Ben Alnwick with a thumping shot on the run from 25 yards.At the other end Jack Payne volleyed inches wide from the edge of the box, before Sam Johnstone denied Jon Taylor.But Preston sealed the win thanks to a late strike from Beckford, who converted Gallagher's cut back from close range.North End have now taken 25 points from their last nine games and sit second in the League One table, while managerless Posh's hopes of a play-off place are slipping away.