Preston were thankful for a debatable penalty decision as they came from behind to earn a point in the Lancashire derby at Turf Moor.

Ricardo Fuller, who scored a stunning hat-trick in North End's 5-3 victory over their local rivals in December, was again the scourge of the Burnley back-line before his late sending-off.

It was his tumble under Mo Camara's challenge which convinced referee David Pugh to point to the spot just before the hour, allowing Graham Alexander to cancel out Robbie Blake's 19th-minute opener.

If Burnley fans can claim to feel hard done by the crucial penalty decision, they will be mystified by the official's failure to show Fuller a red card after he appeared to catch Dean West off the ball.

However, it was merely a stay of execution for the petulant Jamaican, who was dismissed for violent conduct in the dying moments.

As so often is the case in such fiercely-contested clashes, it needed a mistake to separate the teams, with Preston defender Chris Lucketti the culprit.

His misjudged header let in Glen Little, who showed commendable awareness and composure in squaring the ball for Blake to side-foot home in the 19th minute.

But, after Brian Jensen had pulled off a magnificent save to deny Michael Keane, Pugh became the pivotal figure in a controversial encounter which is sure to provoke plenty of debate.

Although there was no shortage of passion chances were at a premium early on.

Fuller drilled a fierce shot narrowly the wrong side of Jensen's post, while Keane had a 20-yard attempt saved by the Burnley goalkeeper.

Blake's goal - his first in four games - came from a rare Burnley attack, but it took West's vital interception to deny David Healy an equaliser midway through the half.

Rob Edwards' wayward strike aside, Preston had little else to show for their attacking endeavour as Blake and Little continued to pull the strings for the hosts.

That was until Keane unleashed a stunning left-footed effort from distance which seemed destined for the top corner of the Burnley goal until Jensen, amazingly, tipped it around the post.

Jensen's opposite number, Andy Lonergan, was called into action late in the half to keep out Tony Grant's well-struck shot, while only Tyrone Mears' pace prevented Richard Chaplow from breaking free just after the interval.

Burnley fans' estimation of referee David Pugh, who failed to punish Dickson Etuhu for appearing to lash out at Richard Chaplow, dropped further when he awarded North End a penalty.

Fuller fell, rather to easily for Burnley's liking, in the area, and Alexander sent Jensen the wrong way from the spot.

Fuller twice went close to giving North End an unlikely lead, while Blake fired into the arms of Lonergan at the other end of the pitch.

Fuller, who was seemingly intent on an early bath, achieved his goal late on after another unsightly spat.

Teams

Burnley Jensen, Branch (Alan Moore 79), May, West, Camara, Grant, Chaplow, McGregor, Little, Blake, Ian Moore.

Subs Not Used: Scott, Abbey, Townsend, Pugh.

Booked: Branch, Ian Moore, West, Little.

Goals: Blake 19.

Preston Lonergan, Alexander, Jackson, Lucketti (Lewis 45), Mears, Etuhu (McCormack 55), Keane, Edwards, Cresswell, Healy, Fuller.

Subs Not Used: Lucas, Smith, Lynch.

Sent Off: Fuller (90).

Booked: Fuller, Cresswell.

Goals: Alexander 58 pen.

Att: 15,837

Ref: D Pugh (Merseyside).