Wigan will have to wait until next week for the opportunity to secure automatic promotion after a nervy draw with Preston, who are already guaranteed a play-off place, at Deepdale.

Paul Jewell's side knew a win over their local rivals and Ipswich's failure to beat Crewe would be enough to secure Premiership football.

But they failed to keep their part of the bargain and set-up a huge game next Sunday with play-off-chasing Reading, which will now decide their destiny.

Lee McCulloch gave the visitors the lead against the run of play with a trademark header midway through the opening period, but Brian O'Neil clawed North End back on level terms four minutes before the break and a tense second half saw both teams more satisfied with a point.

The pressure was off the home side, with their play-off place made certain by West Ham's 2-1 defeat by champions Sunderland on Friday night, but in-form David Nugent almost handed North End the lead with just over a minute gone.

The in-form forward raced clear of the Wigan defence but his square pass to Richard Cresswell sent his strike partner too wide to capitalise.

Billy Davies' side continued to hold the advantage, with Nugent having another couple of half chances, but Wigan, with three consecutive clean sheets behind them, were never really stretched and converted the first opening to take the lead in the 24th minute.

Graham Kavanagh lifted a free-kick from the left into the North End area and Scotland international McCulloch flicked his header back across goal and past Carlo Nash to register his 13th of the campaign.

The hosts immediately pressed for an equaliser and a Cresswell header was palmed away well by Latics goalkeeper John Filan.

Cresswell spurned another chance when Matt Hill and Paul McKenna opened up the Latics defence, lashing his shot well off-target.

But Davies' men would not be denied and O'Neil levelled, with a firm header on McKenna's free-kick to the far post in the 41st minute and send the teams in level at the break.

A moment's hesitation cost Cresswell six minutes into the second half when McKenna's cross landed at his feet near the penalty spot but the former Sheffield Wednesday man could not get the all out from under his feet and it was cleared to safety.

Again Preston looked far more threatening as the game opened up but they suffered another blow with Callum Davidson being helped off the field in the 64th minute. That change left North End lacking shape and McCulloch went close again with a well-timed half volley which was well held by Nash as the home team sat deeper and deeper.

After neat link-up play from Jimmy Bullard, Nicky Eaden's cross found McCulloch at the far post once again but the imposing midfielder could not find the target, while Filan thwarted Chris Lucketti's header from another quality McKenna free-kick.

Both teams seemed content to play out the rest of the game for a draw which leaves the Latics still unsure about whether they will avoid joining their Lancashire rivals in the play-offs.

Teams

Preston Nash, Alexander, Lucketti, Mawene, Hill, Sedgwick, O'Neil (Mears 87), McKenna, Davidson (Etuhu 63), Nugent (Agyemang 83), Cresswell.

Subs Not Used: Ward, Davis.

Booked: Sedgwick.

Goals: O'Neil 41.

Wigan Filan, Eaden, Jackson, Breckin, McMillan, Teale (Jarrett 63), Kavanagh, Bullard (Mahon 81), McCulloch, Roberts, Ellington (Graham 75).

Subs Not Used: Walsh, Wright.

Booked: McCulloch.

Goals: McCulloch 24.

Att: 20,221

Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).