Gillingham captain Paul Smith stole an injury-time equaliser at Preston to extend the Gills unbeaten run to six matches.

North End looked set for a comfortable win after an unfortunate own goal by Gillingham keeper Jason Brown.

David Nugent's acrobatic effort from 20 yards came back off a post to rebound in off Brown.

That looked to be enough but with time running out Smith got up to head in Nicky Southall's cross and stun North End.

Preston manager Billy Davies had handed goalkeeper Carlo Nash his first start since his £175,000 move from Middlesbrough and he was called into action in only the second minute.

Graham Alexander, making his 300th appearance for Preston, saw his headed back-pass drop short but it just evaded the out-stretched boot of Darius Henderson as Nash came out to claim.

It proved to be a rare sight of goal for Stan Ternent's side, who were unchanged from the 0-0 draw at Ipswich two weeks ago.

Preston broke immediately and Gillingham keeper Jason Brown fumbled Chris Sedgwick's cross before managing to gather at the feet of Richard Cresswell.

The hosts continued to whip in the crosses, with both Nugent and Cresswell heading over good chances.

The chances kept falling Preston's way and Nugent looked odds-on to score when Cresswell set him free down the middle but he shot early and well wide.

Preston continued to push after the goal, with Lewis' 37th-minute cross somehow eluding both Cresswell's attempted overhead kick and the head of Nugent.

The ex-Bury man then flashed another long-range effort over as the half drew to a close.

Chris Hope got up to head Michael Flynn's cross goalwards in the 43rd minute but Nash gathered the ball easily.

Ternent sought to shake things up at half-time, with Matthew Jarvis and Darren Byfield replacing Hope and Henderson.

The changes at least slowed the Preston onslaught and 12 minutes had passed before the first real chance came, as Cresswell laid the ball off for Nugent whose shot from the edge of the area was touched round the post by Brown.

Eddie Lewis then struck a low free-kick from 30 yards after Nugent was fouled, but Brown held it comfortably this time.

Gillingham had a great chance to draw level in the 65th minute when Matthew Jarvis' throw-in was allowed to go all the way through to Mamady Sidibe at the far post, but he failed to get a shot away.

Nugent was then withdrawn to be replaced by Patrick Agyemang - a sign that Nugent was not fully over a recent bout of mumps. On-loan midfielder Yoann Folly came on to make his debut in place of Sedgwick.

Immediately Preston had a glorious chance to double their lead when Lewis's free-kick found Cresswell unchallenged at the near post but his header went the wrong side of the post.

With five minutes left former Gillingham man Agyemang should have scored when Brian O'Neil picked him out on the six-yard line but a poor first touch let him down and Ian Cox recovered.

They were then made to pay for the missed chances right at the death.

Teams

Preston Nash, Alexander, Lucketti, Mawene, Davidson, Sedgwick (Folly 70), McKenna, O'Neil, Lewis (Davis 78), Nugent (Agyemang 69), Cresswell.

Subs Not Used: Ward, Hill.

Booked: Sedgwick.

Goals: Brown 28 og.

Gillingham Brown, Nosworthy, Hope (Byfield 45), Cox, McEveley, Southall, Flynn (Hills 82), Smith, Douglas, Sidibe, Henderson (Jarvis 45).

Subs Not Used: Banks, Crofts.

Booked: Cox, Douglas, McEveley.

Goals: Smith 90.

Att: 15,054

Ref: S Mathieson (Cheshire).