Preston scored a goal inside just 21 seconds but lost ground in the race for the Nationwide First Division play-offs as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Crewe at Deepdale.

Paul McKenna's exceptionally early strike stunned the visitors, who managed to equalise through Kenny Lunt after 17 minutes.

Richard Cresswell re-established Preston's lead two minutes later but Rob Hulse earned Crewe a point with 13 minutes remaining.

Preston boss Kelham O'Hanlon made two changes to his line-up in midfield, bringing in McKenna and Iain Anderson to replace Mark Rankine and Michael Keane.

Crewe showed five changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Portsmouth on Saturday. Wayne Collins, Steve Foster, Shaun Smith, Ben Rix and Rodney Jack all returned to the starting line-up.

The game was not even half a minute old and Crewe had barely touched the ball when Preston opened the scoring.

Cresswell's pass found McKenna who fired the ball past a stunned Clayton Ince from just outside the penalty area.

Crewe struggled to come to terms with the early goal and their best effort in the opening 10 minutes came from Neil Sorvel, but he blasted the ball over the crossbar from 30 yards.

However, they were back on level terms in the 18th minute when Rix crossed for Lunt to head in the equaliser from inside the six-yard box.

But Crewe's joy was short-lived as Preston regained the lead two minutes later through Cresswell, who headed Anderson's cross past Ince for the hosts' second goal.

The flurry of goalmouth activity did not last, however, and there was little of note until Dario Gradi was forced to bring on Phil Charnock in the 36th minute as a replacement for the injured Dave Vaughan.

Cresswell was booked for a foul on Lunt three minutes before the interval.

But the second half started in positive fashion, with David Healy almost finding a way past Ince from close range.

But the Crewe keeper held firm and Jack came close to pulling a second goal back, but missed the target from 25 yards.

Preston continued to search for a third goal but Healy, McKenna and Lee Cartwright were all thwarted in their attempts to stretch the advantage.

They were made to pay 13 minutes from time when Hulse converted Kevin Street's cross from close range to ultimately snatch a point for Crewe, as Cresswell and McKenna spurned last-gasp chances.

Preston (2) 2 Crewe (1) 2

Preston: Lucas, Alexander, Gregan, Lucketti, Edwards, McKenna, Cartwright, Etuhu, Anderson, Cresswell, Healy (Basham 74).

Subs Not Used: Moilanen, Keane, Eaton, Gudjonsson.

Booked: Cresswell.

Goals: McKenna 1, Cresswell 19.

Crewe: Ince, Collins, Foster, Sodje, Smith, Rix (Street 64), Lunt, Sorvel, Vaughan (Charnock 36), Hulse, Jack.

Subs Not Used: Bankole, Macauley, Tait.

Goals: Lunt 17, Hulse 77.

Att: 13,396

Ref: M Messias (York).