Despite blaming himself for the Birmingham goal, Pickford made several outstanding saves to keep the scoreline to a 1-1 draw which keeps Preston away from the bottom three with some breathing distance.
North End started the game well and were deservedly in the lead after having somse pressure. Reach scored from the right hand side has his inswinging ball evaded everyone including the keeper to land int he corner of the net.
Preston had other chances but just before the break there was a scuffle between Pickford and a Birmingham forward with each allegeing the other kicked him. The visitors then came out in the second half a completely different side.
The Pretson backline has held pretty firm over the past ten games but the pace of Gray troubled Preston. He had a one on on which Pickford save brillianttly to his left. The keeper then made another save from long range.
Gray drove in from the left on his right foot and set up another chance where the resulting cross was headed onto the bar. Pickford mave several other decisive saves, one to his left was superb.
Birmingham did level from a corner. Pickford came out but the attcker ran across the near post and slanted a header across which couldn't be stopped on the line.
The game became very open and Preton had chances through Garner to score again. The game ended level despite gray shooting wide from another one on one in injury time.
Pickford was awarded man of th ematch and received an ovation from both sets of fans for what was a fantastic display. It is not the first time this season that the youngster has kept Preston alive in a game but we fear that his time at Deepdale might be coming to an end.