Preston North End grabbed a deserved point after a 1 – 1 draw against Championship leaders QPR at Deepdale.
Heider Helguson's opener after 37 minutes was cancelled out by a glorious lobbed equaliser from midfielder Barry Nicholson midway through the second half.
North End’s Leon Clarke was ineligible to play against his parent club, whilst QPR’s Tommy Smith was nursing a hamstring injury.
It was a quiet start from both teams. The only real chance fell to QPR’s Taarabt who had an early sighter saved comfortably by Turner.
On 17 minutes Taarabt swung in a 35 yard curling free kick from the left which was tipped round the post by North End’s Turner.
Four minutes later, Taarabt was involved again. Great footwork from the Morrocan sent Ashbee on his backside before the ball was pulled back for Faurlin who blazed over from 15 yards.
North End then had a penalty claim turned down as a Treacy corner from the right appeared to be met by the arm of Helguson, but referee Haines waved away the protests.
Ellington tried his luck from 25 yards, but his effort was saved comfortably by Kenny. Ellington then cut in from the right but could only find the side netting.
Clear cut chances were few and far between, but on 37 minutes QPR showed just how clinical they can be.
Miller beat Cort to the by-line before drilling a low cross across the face of goal where the coolest man in the box, Icelandic Heidar Helguson was on hand to dispatch into the roof of the net for his 7th of the season.
North End were close to an instant response. The impressive Ellington laid off to Johnson who from inside the area forced Kenny to tip round his far post.
Two minutes into the second half and a long QPR free kick was met by a looping header from Helguson, but he was denied by the crossbar.
Preston boss Brown then replaced Johnson with Paul Hayes in the 55th minute and the move breathed new life into the hosts.
On 58 minutes Treacy curled a free-kick towards goal, but the ball deflected off the top of the wall and bounced inches wide of a stranded Kenny.
However, the Lilywhites’ resilience was rewarded in the 64th minute.
Great play in midfield found Ellington who played Nicholson free into the box. The Scotsman sublimely lobbed Kenny from inside the area for his first league goal since September 2008.
North End had their tails up and a minute later, Ellington was close to putting the home side ahead, but his fierce effort flew just over the crossbar.
QPR were clearly rattled. Derry and Ashbee clashed and were both booked.
Against the run of play, the ever exuberant Taarabt had a glorious chance on 78 minutes to put the league leaders back in front.
His first attempt was blocked and the rebound fell kindly for the playmaker, who could only drag his shot wide.
North End pushed forward and nearly grabbed the win themselves late on, but Leon Court volleyed over when he was free from 12 yards.
It was a spirited performance from North End and it’s the first time QPR haven’t gone onto win a game having led at half time, but it’s still 11 games without a win for the Lilywhites.
After the game, North End boss Phil Brown was happy with the point, but rued his sides luck:
“We need that little bit of luck to get us over the winning line, the Keith Treacy free kick, your just waiting for it to go in the back of the net and it goes inches wide.
“Yes we’re happy to get a point, but we’re in the business of winning games and we haven’t done that yet, which disappoints me greatly.”
QPR boss Neil Warnock praised North End:
“Give Preston credit, they took advantage of the opportunity they got.
“I thought we defended for our lives and it looks a good point gained.”
John Wilson, Preston UK around 1 year, 3 months ago