Preston picked up a vital point on the Wirral to move into the Nationwide Division One play-off zone.

Tranmere, after being outplayed in the opening half, grabbed a deserved equaliser but remain at the foot of the table.

The visitors took the lead after only eight minutes when Jon Macken headed in his 17th goal of the season from a well-placed cross by Lee Cartwright.

Preston could have increased their lead before the break but home keeper John Achterberg made excellent saves from David Healy and Paul McKenna.

Rovers rallied but Preston keeper Teuvo Moilanen blocked a 34th-minute snap shot by Richard Jobson and then turned away free-kick by Jason Koumas on the stroke of half-time.

A brilliant stop by Moilanen denied Andy Parkinson in the 56th minute but two minutes later Rovers levelled when loan man Mickey Mellon crossed for Wayne Allison to fire home from close range.

The game could have gone either way in the closing stages but Macken fired just wide for Preston and Achterberg saved with an outstretched leg from Graham Alexander.

At the other end an 86th minute effort by Stuart Barlow was deflected for a corner.

Play was never easy in the wet and windy conditions but Koumas and Barlow were excellent for Tranmere, while Paul McKenna was the star man for North End and Rob Edwards and Colin Murdock were strong at the back.

But tempers were often frayed and yellow cards were handed out freely by referee Mike Riley.

Tranmere had Allison, Koumas, Barlow, Mellon, Jobson and skipper Nick Henry cautioned, while the Preston trio of Alexander, Cartwright and Healey joined them in the book.

Teams:

Tranmere: Achterberg, Allen, Jobson, Roberts, Yates, Koumas, Henry, Mellon, Parkinson, Allison, Barlow.

Subs Not Used: Murphy, Hinds, Scott Taylor, Challinor, Gill.

Booked: Mellon, Henry, Koumas, Barlow, Jobson.

Goals: Allison 59.

Preston: Moilanen, Alexander, Jackson, Murdock, Edwards, Cartwright, Rankine, Gregan, McKenna, Healy, Macken.

Subs Not Used: Lucas, Barry-Murphy, Anderson, Gunnlaugsson, Kidd.

Booked: Cartwright, Healy, Alexander.

Goals: Macken 8.

Att: 10,335

Ref: M Riley (Leeds).