Preston's play-off bid suffered a hiccup as they were held by Gillingham at
Deepdale.
The Lilywhites enjoyed the majority of possession but lacked the cutting edge
to open up a well-drilled Gillingham side.
Ricardo Fuller came closest to breaking the deadlock when his second-half
effort came back off the woodwork and David Healy also wasted two gilt-edged
chances.
Preston manager Craig Brown handed Scot Gemmill his debut after signing on
loan from Everton in place of the injured Eddie Lewis.
Preston were quick out of the blocks and Healy curled a first-minute free-kick
narrowly over the bar.
The Northern Ireland striker then forced a save from Banks with a firm
left-footed effort.
Danny Spiller had Gillingham's first strike on goal but Andy Lonergan made a
comfortable save.
Healy latched onto Graham Alexander's corner as North End continued to
dominate but his weak effort went harmlessly wide.
Gillingham had a golden opportunity to go ahead against the run of play but
Matthew Jarvis saw his header from Nicky Southall's cross blocked on the line by
Alexander.
Spiller curled an effort wide as the game became more even and contested in
midfield with Simon Lynch also blasting over for the hosts.
Leon Johnson brought down Fuller in a dangerous position but Alexander sent
the free-kick wide.
Banks was again called into action two minutes before the break but produced a
solid save to stop Lynch's left-footed strike from 20 yards and on the stroke of
half-time, Alan Pouton forced Lonergan into action and he was up to the task.
Gillingham burst out of the blocks at the start of the second period.
Spiller saw his effort just 29 seconds after the resumption blocked by Michael
Jackson and Paul Smith then flashed an effort narrowly wide.
But Preston battled back and Richard Cresswell met Alexander's cross but
dragged his effort on goal wide.
Richard Rose blocked Healy's fierce volley as Preston again began to take
control the game and Fuller then let fly from 25 yards but the effort sailed
over the crossbar.
Spiller hooked wide, and Healy saw Banks make a smart stop from his mis-hit
right-footed shot.
Fuller came within a whisker of opening the scoring 20 minutes from time when
his superb curling effort from 20 yards came back off the crossbar with Banks
beaten.
Claude Davis sent a weak header wide and Alexander, Fuller and Healy all drove
wide as Preston went all out for victory in the closing stages.
Teams
Preston Lonergan, Michael Jackson, Davis, Mears, Alexander,
Gemmill, Cresswell (Keane 81), Edwards, Lynch, Fuller, Healy.
Subs Not Used: Lucas, McCormack, Briscoe, Smith.
Booked: Alexander.
Gillingham Banks, Southall, Ashby, Leon Johnson, Rose,
Spiller, Pouton, Smith, Jarvis, Agyemang, Sidibe.
Subs Not Used: Crofts, Wallis, Awuah, Beckwith, Carew.
Booked: Spiller, Agyemang.
Att: 13,111
Ref: P Robinson (E Yorkshire).
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