Paul McKenna equalised three minutes from time to earn Preston a richly deserved point against First Division leaders Portsmouth at Deepdale.

McKenna converted Eddie Lewis' drilled free-kick after Yacubu Ayegbini fifth-minute strike put Pompey ahead.

Lewis was inspirational for the Lilywhites and they completely dominated the game after suffering the early blow.

Portsmouth started brightly and Linvoy Primus went close from Paul Merson's corner after three minutes and two minutes later the early pressure told.

Stone found himself in space on the right wing, cut inside and played a one-two with Merson before laying the ball off for Yacubu to slot home into the empty net.

Preston battled back and almost levelled two minutes later but George Koumantarakis' header from Lewis' corner drifted wide.

North End continued to bombard Shaka Hislop's goal and Richard Cresswell and Lewis both drilled efforts narrowly wide for the hosts.

Cresswell should have levelled on 15 minutes but sent a free header from Lewis' cross straight at Hislop.

Lewis then tested Hislop but the Pompey goalkeeper was up the task as the Lilywhites took charge.

Despite being pinned in their own half since taking the lead, Portsmouth should have doubled their lead on 33 minutes.

A quick break sent Merson away down the left and he crossed for Svetoslav Todorov but he mishit his shot and it flew narrowly wide.

Merson had a chance of his own moments later but his lobbed right-footed effort went over with David Lucas beaten.

The second half set off at a less frenetic pace as both sides battled for control. Todorov had the best of the early chances, but dragged his effort from the edge of the penalty area wide.

Rob Edwards tried his luck from 25 yards as chances were few and far between but again his shot sailed over.

Preston continued to enjoy the majority of possession and Lee Cartwright saw his 65th-minute minute effort blocked and Graham Alexander blasted over when well placed from the resulting corner.

The goal Preston deserved finally came and it was no surprise Lewis was at the heart of it.

The United States international fired a free-kick across the face of goal and Paul McKenna came in at the back post and finished low past Hislop.

Teams

Preston Lucas, Alexander, Lucketti, Broomes (O'Neil 87), Edwards, Cartwright (Mears 79), Etuhu, McKenna, Lewis, Koumantarakis (Lynch 55), Cresswell.

Subs Not Used: Skora, Lonergan.

Goals: McKenna 89.

Portsmouth Hislop, Primus, Foxe, Festa, O'Neil, Stone, Merson, Sherwood, Harper, Todorov (Burton 79), Ayegbini.

Subs Not Used: Kawaguchi, Diabate, Heikkinen, Clarke.

Goals: Ayegbini 5.

Att: 16,665

Ref: M Messias (N Yorkshire).