Play-off chasing Preston saw their progress stalled after running into in-form Argyle goalkeeper Romain Larrieu as his impressive second-half display earned the visitors a point.

Larrieu, man of the match against Ipswich on Saturday, was at it again at Deepdale, pulling off a string of fine stops.

The Greens had threatened a shock early on when Jamie Mackie fired them into a 13th-minute lead, with Jon Parkin levelling before the break.

But Larrieu was in no mood to surrender as his side scrapped for a share of the spoils in their battle to stay away from the relegation scrap.

Preston manager Alan Irvine was without defender Callum Davidson but winger Ross Wallace was passed fit and started in place of Richard Chaplow.

The Greens had former Lilywhite Paul Gallagher in attack but the biggest boost for Paul Sturrock's side was the return of on-loan Manchester United central defender Craig Cathcart, and they edged ahead early on.

Gallagher's inswinging corner from the left just evaded the reach of North End goalkeeper Andy Lonergan but bounced off defender Youl Mawene, and straight into the path of Mackie who rasped the ball home from six yards out.

It was Plymouth's first goal at Deepdale in four visits, where they had lost 2-0 on the last two occasions.

The home side responded well. Stephen Elliott forced Argyle keeper Larrieu to tip his dipping volley over the top and from the resulting corner Eddie Nolan was gifted a free header but he could not finish.

Sturrock was forced into a reshuffle when David McNamee went down under challenge and was carried off on a stretcher before being replaced by Matt Doumbe.

Elliott latched on to a Parkin knock down before forcing a save out of Larrieu as the hosts stepped up the pressure and they were rewarded for their pressing when Parkin levelled two minutes before the break.

Wallace was the architect, his left-wing cross landing perfectly for the frontman who evaded a challenge before planting the ball firmly past Larrieu with his left foot.

The Greens almost regained the lead in the opening moments of the second half when Mawene was penalised and Gallagher's curling free-kick was tipped over by Lonergan.

Preston went up the other end and, after Doumbe had been booked for a foul on Parkin, Wallace played a one-two with Paul McKenna from the free-kick before crossing for Elliott but Larrieu saved well.

Larrieu was forced to parry Barry Nicholson's effort but from the loose ball Plymouth broke, Mackie making the burst almost the length of the pitch but ended up by firing wide from the angle as Lonergan advanced.

Irvine made a double change with 18 minutes remaining, Chaplow and Chris Brown coming on for Chris Sedgwick and Elliott - Craig Noone on for the visitors for Gallagher.

Brown should have made it 2-1, McKenna springing the offside trap with a chipped ball, but the substitute could only steer the ball wide.

Irvine made his last throw of the dice as Whaley replaced Nicholson, Chris Barker picking up a knock for Argyle as Luke Summerfield entered the fray.

Wallace thought he had won it with a brilliant curled shot that Larrieu again tipped over.

And Larrieu made three more excellent late stops to deny Parkin twice and the impressive Wallace.

Teams

Preston Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, St. Ledger, Nolan,Sedgwick (Chaplow 72), Nicholson (Whaley 84), McKenna, Wallace,Parkin, Elliott (Brown 72).

Subs Not Used: Chris Neal, Carter.

Goals: Parkin 43.

Plymouth Larrieu, McNamee (Doumbe 30), Timar, Cathcart,Barker (Summerfield 84), Gallagher (Noone 73), Walton, Duguid,Clark, Fallon, Mackie.

Subs Not Used: Judge, MacLean.

Booked: Doumbe, Clark, Fallon.

Goals: Mackie 13.

Att: 10,660

Ref: Andy Haines (Tyne & Wear).