Millwall had been the last side to lower City's colours at home when they won on September 13 2008.
Preston were confident throughout and spurned a great chance to draw first blood on 15 minutes when Neil Mellor and Billy Jones combined to set up Richard Chaplow who blazed over from ten yards.
City almost took the lead in spectacular fashion midway through the first half when, from seven yards, Matty Oakley volleyed Dany N'Guessan's knock-down just over.
The home side went close again on the half-hour mark when Paul Gallagher headed onto the roof of the net after a Richie Wellens shot ballooned off the keeper.
Preston took a 41st-minute lead after Wayne Brown and Wellens failed to clear to allow Jones to feed Mellor who scored with a crisp, low drive from 16 yards.
Preston maintained their momentum after ther restart with Eddie Nolan forcing Chris Weale into a sprawling save.
North End continued to press with Richard Chaplow directing a free header from a Chris Sedgwick cross straight at the keeper.
Preston doubled their lead on 66 minutes when Mellor broke swiftly after a Leicester attack had broken down before finding Chaplow who slid the ball home from seven yards.
An otherwise underworked Andy Lonergan kept City at bay on 74 minutes when he clawed away Matt Fryatt's close-range effort before Robbie Neilson blazed wide from a good position.
City managed to pull a goal back on 90 minutes when Bruno Berner drove home from ten yards after a Gallagher shot had been deflected by the keeper.