Preston dominated possession in the first half and had the majority of chances but fell behind to an early Andy Johnson goal. A rare mistake by Claude Davis allowed the Palace and England frontman to slot past Carlo Nash. Preston soon equallised with another well worked set piece routine. for the second week on the trot Graham Alexander lobbed the ball into the box but this time O'Neill who was playing for the first time this year headed into the Palace net.
Palace came more into the game in the second half with Andy Johnson heading the ball into the back of the net only for the flag to go up for several players who were offside blocking the view of keeper Nash. Youngster Hibbert was starting his first game for a depeleted North End and he had a glorious chance for the home side but headed over from close range. Both sides made changes late on in a bid to win the tie. Preston lost their shape and but for a late Youl Mawene tackle Preston may have gone out.
Preston now look to the midweek match against Palace with the return of Mckenna, Nugent, Stock, Whaley and new boy Ormerod all set to come in.
Att: 9,484