QPR staged a remarkable late comeback with two last-minute goals to deny in-form Preston a sixth win from their last seven Championship outings.

Neil Mellor's 37th-minute strike was added to by on-loan Watford striker Tamas Priskin shortly after the hour mark to put North End in total control.

However, former Preston winger Gareth Ainsworth lobbed home in the 90th minute and then crossed for Dexter Blackstock to head a late equaliser.

Former Liverpool striker Mellor, who scored a brace in last week's 3-1 home win over Sheffield United, went close after only four minutes.

He collected possession following a quick throw-in from strike partner Chris Brown and engineered the space to crack in a low left-footed shot, which Rangers goalkeeper Lee Camp did well to tip round a post.

Not surprisingly, North End looked full of purpose and vigour as they sought to build on their recent run of rich form.

They carved out another opening in the ninth minute when highly-rated winger Simon Whaley drilled in a low shot, which forced Camp into another smart stop.

Moments later, it was Brown's turn to go close as he stabbed in a close-range shot that Martin Rowlands did well to block.

Rangers offered little in the opening quarter and looked to be there for the taking.

However, resurgent Preston struggled to make the most of their territorial advantage as midfielder Darren Carter failed to hit the target with a shot from distance in the 22nd minute.

The visitors continued to probe and a dangerous cross from Mellor in the 28th minute forced Rangers centre-back Damion Stewart into a vital clearance.

They were finally rewarded for their endeavour in the 37th minute when Mellor struck in such clinical fashion.

It stemmed from a corner on the right by Paul McKenna, which defender Youl Mawene headed into the danger zone.

Mellor made no mistake with a right-foot volley that flew past Camp for his eight goal of the season.

It should have been doubled a minute before the break as Sean St Ledger headed another McKenna corner wastefully over the crossbar.

Rowlands missed from distance twice in the space of as many minutes shortly after the restart but the pendulum soon swung back in Preston's favour and by the 64th minute they netted again through Priskin, who replaced Mellor at half-time.

A teasing cross from the left by Chris Sedgwick was met by Priskin, who tucked home a neat right-foot effort from six yards.

Priskin almost claimed his second four minutes later when he connected with McKenna's corner with a header that Camp tipped around a post.

North End continued to create chances but were left hanging on in the closing stages after Ainsworth netted with a fine lobbed effort in the last minute.

Rangers continued to push for an equaliser and were rewarded in the closing stages when Blackstock headed home Ainsworth's right-wing cross to ensure the points were shared.

Teams:

QPR Camp, Mancienne, Stewart, Hall, Connolly, Ephraim (Balanta 61), Mahon (Ainsworth 66), Leigertwood, Rowlands, Agyemang, Blackstock.

Subs Not Used: Pickens, Barker, Lee.

Booked: Rowlands, Connolly.

Goals: Blackstock 90, Ainsworth 90.

Preston Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, St. Ledger, Davidson, Sedgwick, McKenna, Carter, Whaley, Mellor (Priskin 46), Brown.

Subs Not Used: Chris Neal, Chaplow, Hill, Lewis Neal.

Booked: Brown, Lonergan.

Goals: Mellor 37, Priskin 64.

Att: 14,966

Ref: Clive Penton (Sussex).