Preston and Leicester shared two brilliant goals and so had to settle for a
point each in an otherwise uninspired Coca-Cola Championship match at Deepdale.
David Connolly gave the visitors the lead with a superb volley midway through
the opening period, before Paul McKenna deservedly got Preston back on level
terms with a wonderful free-kick just past the hour.
North End extended their unbeaten run in the league to six matches and 14
points from 18 - while the visitors must improve on their bleak record of one
win in seven if they are to have anything to play for come March and April.
Preston manager Billy Davies handed a debut to left-back Matt Hill at the
expense of Rob Kozluk, with the loan signing from Sheffield United dropping to
the bench.
However, there was little to concern the £100,000 signing from Bristol City in
a tepid opening which offered no goalmouth action until 10 minutes had passed.
Former Leicester striker Richard Cresswell's cross sparked panic in the Foxes
area, and Stewart Taylor had to be alert to rush out after Dion Dublin's
clearance had rebounded off McKenna.
The pressure continued - and following a McKenna corner, veteran Martin Keown
blocked close-range shots from both Cresswell and Youl Mawene before the ball
was eventually cleared to safety.
The Foxes spent the first 25 minutes camped in their own half, but their first
attack of substance saw them take the lead with a wonder strike from Connolly.
The Republic of Ireland international has struggled since joining from West
Ham but found the top corner from outside the area to score his fifth of the
season after Alan Maybury's cross was not cleared properly.
Despite dominating up to that point, North End seemed stunned and asked their
visitors, relying on Connolly as a threat on the break, fewer and fewer
questions.
Preston's problems continued after half-time - with Cresswell and Patrick
Agyemang getting little change out of Leicester's experienced defensive trio of
Keown, Dublin and Nikos Dabizas as Craig Levein's side looked to close the game
out.
Just after the hour, Dublin headed off the line after an improvised free-kick
from McKenna and Alexander - before Taylor made a fine low save from Chris
Sedgwick.
In the 63rd minute, North End levelled with another fine goal.
Jordan Stewart fouled Sedgwick on the edge of the area, and McKenna curled an
exquisite chip past Taylor.
Two minutes later, Davies threw on David Nugent - who completed his protracted
six-figure move from Bury earlier in the week - for the ineffective Agyemang.
In a rare foray into the North End half, Hill deflected Lilian Nalis' shot
wide - and Keown and James Scowcroft both threatened.
Even so it was Preston who always looked more likely to snatch the victory.
The decisive goal never came. But Leicester can be in no doubt that they need
to put in a much more convincing performance if they are to avoid a shock when
they return to the north-west to face Blackpool in the FA Cup on Tuesday.
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