North End lined up with a back for of Woods, Clarke, Wright and Laird as Huntington was still missing after his recent injury problems. Robinson was given a start supporting Garner and Beckford.
The tone of the game was set int eh first minute. Garner who has been withotu a goal for some time found himself on the end of a cross in acres of space but only slid the ball wide.
A number of chances went begging from Garner, Beckford and others before Beckford did finally manage to open the scoring. It should have been three of four by that point but Preston were just thankful for a goal.
Just before the break Robinson went on a mazy run beating a couple of defenders before curling a shot into the corner beyond the Gillingham keeper. Preston should have scored more than double the two nillead that they took into the break.
The second half then saw a change in fortunes. The visitors started to get at Preston a bit more with nothing to lose. There was a hint of fortune in the build up to the first goal from Gillingham but not with the finish.
The Whites cleared the ball into midfield where a visiting player managed to get his head on the speeding ball. He directed his header forwards albeit with a lack of control and fortune found the ball to land at the feet of McGlashan who was in acres of space but seemed to be ahead of the defensive line half a yard offside.
The forward ran through slotting the ball past Johnstone and fromt hat moment ont he game changed as the visitors contested every ball. The referee then lost control of the game towards the end.
Garner was man handled and forced to the ground. Gillingham should have been reduced to ten but instead both players were booked. Garner was then clearly fouled with the visiting defender sliding right through the frontman with no intention of playing the ball. On another day Gillingham could easily have been down to nine men.
The refree was, however, not to blame for the final result. Preston switched off in injury time as a ball was floated over intot he box. Legge pealed off Baily Wright to be in space and nod a looping header over Johnstone for a late equaliser.
North End now only sit three points above MK Dons with four games to play. Swindon are six points behind but have a game in hand and travel to Deepdale a week on Saturday.
Preston travel to Port Vale on Friday for their third game in a week before playing at Notts County away on Tuesday. North Enbd need to hold their nerve if they are goign to secure the second automatic spot behind Bristol City who were promoted last night.