PRESTON began their league campaign with a draw but ultimately they will be disappointed not to have taken all three points against some ordinary opposition.

And despite dominating large periods of the game Preston's inability to kill their opposition off nearly resulted in a incomprehensible home defeat.

But, thanks to a late equaliser by Mark Fletcher Preston can now travel to Bolton next weekend in a more confident mood.

In a typically frantic opening period only Fletcher and Philip Bowman could muster any meaningful contributions.

And it was this pairing which combined to release the spritely Adam Wilson into the D and win the first of several penalty corners.

With a couple of early attempts thwarted by Northop's defensive shield, captain Richard Sullivan finally found a way through with a guided shot into the corner. Minutes later Preston should have been two goals to the good.

Following an initial strike by Sullivan, Bowman collected the rebound and undercut the ball above a grounded keeper. Bizarrely the umpire disallowed the goal but still awarded Preston another short corner.

Despite this flurry of action the home attack could not convert several chances that were put on offer.

Inevitably they were made to pay. Shortly into the second half a long ball pierced an otherwise stable defence whereupon James Tasker was handed the simple task of rounding Simon Eccleston and placing the ball into an empty net.

And worse was to follow for Preston as Tim Watkins was granted a ample amount of space in the D to fire Northop into the lead.

With their lead intact the visitors were intent on sitting back and soaking up the pressure. Their tactic nearly worked. However Preston, urged on by Sullivan and Fletcher, soon began to carve open a tiring defence.

And it was the wily Colin Sinclair who created the equalising goal. Sinclair ghosted past a static defence before completely deceiving the keeper and squaring the ball to an unmarked Fletcher.

Fletcher still had some work to do before he hammered home a deserved equaliser much to the relief of the his team-mates and coach.

RESULT: Preston 2 Northop Hall 2

Preston travel to Bolton for a 1pm push back on Saturday.