A GOAL to dream about struck from 25 yards by Michael Appleton gave North End the single point from the holiday fixtures -- 1-1 against Wimbledon.

North End, after almost taking the lead with a Colin Murdock header inside five minutes, were fortunate to go in at half-time only a goal down after some poor defending let in the Wimbledon strike force.

Two chances fell in as many minutes to John Hartson as he was sent clear in the box and only a fine save from Tepi Moilanen from the first chance prevented Wimbledon taking an early lead.

From a very good position, Hartson shot high over the crossbar with his second chance and then it was Moilanen to the rescue again to keep out a goal bound shot from Jason Euell with a very impressive save.

Moilanen however, could do nothing about the goal which arrived in stoppage time in the first-half.

Neal Ardley hit in a searching corner kick, no one picked up Mark Williams around the penalty spot and his perfect header zoomed high into the top right hand corner of the net for a "postage stamp" goal of quality.

David Moyes brought on Iain Anderson for Michael Jackson at half-time, with Sean Gregan moving into the back four and the change worked immediately with a sparkling drive from Michael Appleton which was hitting the back of the net while Kelvin Davis was still diving to try to stop it. Preston raised their game urged on by their supporters and Jon Macken and Paul McKenna went close to giving Preston the lead.

Then the Wimbledon keeper had to race out of his area to head clear as Jon Macken moved in dangerously. You just had to feel for Steve Basham who is going through a goal crisis at the moment.

Twice he had the ball in the net but each time the "goal" was ruled out for offside.

Wimbledon went desperately close to a later winner when Marcus Gayle crossed perfectly for John Hartson to send a header flashing against the face of the crossbar with Moilanen well beaten.

In the closing moments, Steve Basham cut inside from the left and hit in a powerful, low cross shot which beat Davis and went just inches wide of the post.

A draw was about right, Preston have seven out of a possible twelve points so far, a haul that perhaps they would have settled for at the start of the season.

David Moyes was "happy to get a point from the game."

The Preston boss added "we defended badly at times in the first half and gave them too many chances."