GRIMSBY 2 PRESTON 2

PRESTON were hoping to record their first win of the First Division campaign today against Wimbledon after a controversial decision denied them all three points at Grimsby, writes DAVE HIGGERSON.

Referee Richard Beeby awarded a spot-kick to the Mariners in the 53rd minute when Wayne Burnett appeared to be pushed and Allan Poulton converted it.

But North End were left scratching their heads about the decision.

Assistant manager Kelham O'Hanlon said after the 2-2 draw : "Nobody knows what happened.

"There was the usual pushing and shoving the box. If they were all given for that there would be one every two minutes. The decision has baffled me."

North End had handed debuts to three players -- new £750,000 signing Chris Lucketti, young midfielder Michael Keane and former Rovers striker Kevin Gallacher.

But it was Grimsby who took the lead when Preston defender Colin Murdock gifted them a goal after failing to clear properly and Jonathan Rowan fired home on 28 minutes.

Villain Murdock quickly became the hero, scoring his second goal of the campaign when he headed hom Graham Alexander's corner to make it all square.

And North End seemed on course for clinching the win when David Healy put them in front.

But the spot kick means they need to beat the Dons today at Deepdale to record their first win.

"Wimbledon will give us a tough game. We were fortunate to get a draw when we played them here last season. They probably caused us as many problems as anybody," said manager David Moyes.