Brian O'Neil cancelled out Andy Johnson's opener as Preston pegged back Championship rivals Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Deepdale.

England international Johnson struck in the eighth minute to hand Iain Dowie's side the advantage. The 24-year-old striker pounced on an error from Lilywhites defender Youl Mawene before clinically dispatching the ball past Carlo Nash.

Frenchman Mawene dwelt on the ball inside his own penalty area and was caught in possession by the Eagles forward who made no mistake from 12-yards.

But O'Neil restored parity just before the half hour when he headed home Graham Alexander's free-kick.

Fitz Hall fouled Patrick Agyemang wide on the right and from the resulting kick O'Neil glanced his header beyond the outstretched arms of Gabor Kiraly.

After a scrappy opening the home side provided the first effort on goal when Lewis Neal's inswinging corner found Mawene, but his header goalwards was blocked and cleared by Hall.

Moments later Mawene was at fault at the opposite end when Johnson opened the scoring with his 11th goal of the season.

But Billy Davies' side responded well and Mawene almost made amends for his mistake, but again failed to control the ball when well positioned in front of goal.

O'Neil - a late addition to the Preston side after shaking off a groin injury - burst from midfield midway through the half and flashed an angled shot wide of the target.

But Palace still looked dangerous on the break and Mikele Leigertwood went close to marking his return from a thigh complaint by getting on the scoresheet, but his header lacked power and was easily smothered by Nash.

Kiraly was forced into his first meaningful action when he stretched to block Neal's close-range volley, but there was nothing the Hungary international could do to stop O'Neil's equaliser.

The midfielder headed home a pin-point cross from fellow Scotland international Alexander to send the teams into the break all square.

The home side started the second half with gusto and laid siege to the Palace goal with a wave of early attacks.

Dave Hibbert almost celebrated his 20th birthday with a goal but his low drive from the edge of the area was tipped around the post by Kiraly two minutes after the restart.

Hibbert went close again moments later when his angled shot whistled through a crowded penalty - eluding everyone in its path and narrowly missing the bottom corner.

But Palace still looked threatening on the counter-attack and Johnson had a goal chalked out for offside before Republic of Ireland international Clinton Morrison fired over the crossbar.

Hibbert spurned a glorious chance to snatch victory for Preston late in the game, but headed over the bar from just three-yards out.

The sides meet again at Deepdale on Tuesday, this time with vital league points at stake, before the replay at Selhurst Park a week later.

Teams:

Preston Nash, Mears, Mawene, Davis, Davidson, Sedgwick,Alexander, O'Neil (Lucketti 83), Lewis Neal (Dichio 75),Agyemang, Hibbert.

Subs Not Used: Ward, Parillon, Beattie.

Goals: O'Neil 27.

Crystal Palace Kiraly, Fitz Hall, Boyce, Hudson, Popovic,Andrews (Riihilahti 59), Soares, Leigertwood,Freedman (Reich 82), Johnson, Morrison (Macken 81).

Subs Not Used: Borrowdale, Speroni.

Booked: Fitz Hall.

Goals: Johnson 8.

Att: 9,489

Ref: M Jones (Cheshire).