Preston North End left it late for the second successive week, as Billy Jones hit an 88th-minute equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
Matthew Bates looked to have given the home side all three points after 71 minutes with a fine strike from 18 yards, but Jones headed home late on to rescue a point for Phil Brown's men.
Boro, won 3-1 at Deepdale in the recent reverse fixture, but it was the awayside who made the better start this time around.
Iain Hume crossed dangerously and Boro defender Seb Hines managed the clear the ball away from danger.
Boro gradually established a foothold on the game and former Rangers striker Kris Boyd hit a shot from 18 yards which flashed just wide of the post.
The hosts threatened again moments later when Joe Bennett's dangerous cross was met by Gary O'Neil, but he hit a left-foot shot drawing a fine block from North End defender Sean St Ledger.
In the 33rd minute, Preston pushed forward and winger Paul Parry collected possession 20 yards from goal and hit a fierce shot which Boro goalkeeper Jason Steele tipped over the crossbar.
Moments later Leroy Lita tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area but North End's Leon Cort cleared before the hosts went close again nine minutes before the interval.
Bennett again provided the delivery from the wing and Tony McMahon fired goalwards with a fierce shot only for Craig Morgan to be in the way.
Four minutes later, North End stopper Andy Lonergan kept Boro at bay.
First, Nicky Bailey hit a right-footed shot from 35 yards which Lonergan did well to parry. Lita picked up the loose ball 12 yards from goal, but Lonergan was again on hand to make a fine stop.
North End then threatened in the 44th minute when Parry saw his 12-yard shot blocked by Hines.
Ten minutes after the restart, North End broke forward and Jones hit a shot from 18 yards which Luke Steele held comfortably.
Boro then threatened in the shape of Julio Arca, but he rifled wide from 20 yards.
In the 55th minute Preston replaced Paul Hayes with on loan striker Nathan Ellington in a bid to snatch a winner. However, it was the homeside who stepped up the tempo.
McMahon fired wide from 18 yards and Andrew Taylor also missed the target from the edge of the area.
Boro's pressure paid off with 19 minutes remaining when Matthew Bates advanced forward from deep and hit an 18 yard effort into the bottom left-hand corner.
Yet Phil Brown's Preston don't know when they are beaten and Billy Jones headed home a cross from Conor McLoughlin two minutes from time to snatch a vital point in their race for survial.
Post match, North End assistant Brian Horton - standing in for manager Phil Brown who had lost his voice - admitted his side had got out of jail:
"We've dragged something out of that game when it never looked like we would.
"That shows a real spirit."
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