Preston looked to pass the ball early on having lots of possession creating a couple of half chances, one where Hawley forced the keeper into a save but North End struggled to take advantage. Carter also had a good flick on header saved.
Barnsley looked lively and attacked on the break but were very dangerous using pace and the expertise of Preston old boy Jon Macken up front.
It looked to be heading to the break goalless when Nicholls gave away a silly free kick out on the touchline. The resulting set piece saw a good ball floated in and the Preston defence once again beaten to the ball as it nestled into the back of the net from a header with Lonergan given no chance.
Preston huffed and puffed but it was Barnsley who could have extended their lead with a wild missed header from only six yards out. North End continued to dominate possession with Carter playing well down the left but due to a lack of creativitiy from most in the side it was left to St Ledger to make dazzling runs from the back.
Mellor and Agyemang came on to force the issue and a very poor Nicholls was taken off for Whaley. Mckenna was handed the armband and Preston searched for the equaliser. Barnsley had chances on the break to seal the game as it headed for stoppage time.
A great cross by Whaley troubled the defence when it was quite clear St Ledger had been pulled in the box. A penalty was awarded which the keeper saved from Mellor. The match was over and a draw may have been a fair result on chances created.
Take nothing away from Barnsley though. They will not be challenging the top six this season and are an average side for this division but they are a neat side who when they attacked made Preston look distinctly poor. A lack of ideas going forward and a couple of good saves from the home keeper left Simpson bemoaning another disappointing away result.
the Whites now have a tough home game to Leicester before trying to turn round their awful away form at Hull next Saturday.