 He signed for Championship side Preston North End on 14 June 2007, on a three-year contract.After making 26 appearance and 3 goals in League and 2 in FA Cup at his first season for Preston, Hawley suffered poor forms for Preston in his second season and get less playing time under manager Alan Irvine.Also during his time at Preston, Hawley also struggled to replicate the goalscoring form he showed at Carlisle and joined Northampton Town for a one months loan
where he made 11 appearance and scoring two.