Richard Chaplow hit an injury-time equaliser to end Plymouth's slim hopes of a Coca-Cola Championship play-off place.

The Preston midfielder slid the ball in from close range to cap a fine late comeback from North End, who at 2-0 down looked dead and buried.

Jamie Mackie marked his return to the side with a goal in in the 12th minute with a shot from well outside the penalty area which flew into the net via a deflection.

And Argyle doubled their lead from the spot, Wotton firing in after Krisztian Timar was upended in the area.

But Preston striker Neil Mellor started the comeback with a strike from eight yards before Chaplow struck the equaliser.

Paul Sturrock made three changes to the side which drew 1-1 at Sheffield Wednesday on Monday, with Gary Sawyer, Lilian Nalis and Jermain Easter all missing out.

Mackie, Wotton and Rory Fallon came into the the starting XI as Argyle went in search of their first win at home since a 4-1 victory over Colchester on March 4.

Preston manager Alan Irvine made two changes to the team which lost 2-1 to Barnsley last time out with Chaplow and Lewis Neal replacing Darren Carter and Simon Whaley.

After a slow start to the game the hosts took the lead in slightly fortunate circumstances.

The lively Mackie picked up the loose ball 35 yards from goal and unleashed a stinging shot, which took a huge deflection into the net - leaving keeper Andy Lonergan, who was making his 100th appearance for North End, with no chance.

It was Mackie's third goal since joining the Pilgrims and fuelled an impressive first half for the 22-year-old.

North End failed to created any early chances of note, with Karl Hawley and Chaplow hitting speculative efforts, failing to trouble Luke McCormick in the Plymouth goal.

Peter Halmosi almost made it two on the half hour mark, but the industrious midfielder struck the ball wide after he latched onto a trademark Fallon headed flick on.

The second half began at snails pace with neither side able to string any meaningful passing play together, although Mackie continued to shine as his tireless play continued to cause the North End defence problems.

But it was a mistake by Preston defender Youl Mawene which handed the home side their second goal.

The burly centre-back brought down Timar in the area to give referee Andy Penn no choice but to the spot, from which Paul Wotton smashed home the penalty.

However, the two-goal cushion lasted less than two minutes as Neil Mellor drilled into the bottom corner following Karl Hawley's assist.

And Chaplow silenced the home supporters with his last-gasp strike after Mellor's pass.

Teams:

Plymouth McCormick, Connolly, Anderson, Timar, Paterson,Mackie (Teale 90), Wotton, Abdou, Halmosi (Nalis 81),MacLean (Easter 63), Fallon.

Subs Not Used: Doumbe, Summerfield.

Booked: Timar.

Goals: Mackie 12, Wotton 75 pen.

Preston Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, St. Ledger (Trotman 31),Davidson, Sedgwick (Carter 89), McKenna, Chaplow,Lewis Neal (Whaley 75), Mellor, Hawley.

Subs Not Used: Chris Neal, Hill.

Booked: Sedgwick, Mawene, Mellor.

Goals: Mellor 77, Chaplow 90.

Att: 10,727

Ref: Andy Penn (W Midlands).