NORTH End's hopes of automatic promotion were destroyed in the Deepdale sunshine against a Blackpool side which treated the match as their cup final and who deserved the three points.
Blackpool were sharper to the ball in the early stages and Adam Nowland was sent clear but got the ball tangled up in his boots and Preston survived.
Urged on by the Deepdale support, Preston stepped up a gear and started to cause the Blackpool defence some problems.
Graham Alexander put in a fine corner kick which Michael Jackson met with his head to send the ball goalwards but Tony Craig made a good save.
Moments later, this time from a David Eyres' corner, Jackson looked a certain scorer as his bullet header beat the keeper but Anton Rogan cleared off the goal-line in spectacular style.
Blackpool hit back as Brett Ormerod crossed low into the goal area. Preston couldn't get the ball clear and it rolled perfectly into the path of Phil Clarkson.
The Blackpool midfielder looked a certain scorer from ten yards, but although he hit the ball with enormous power David Lucas got his body in the way to produce a brilliant save.
Chances were few and far between but Jon Macken had one when he cut inside to the corner of the box but he got under the ball with his shot and was high and wide.
Then, in the time added on in the first half, Blackpool took the lead when Alexander conceded a needless corner.
Ormerod floated in the kick and Preston were in a panic in trying to clear. They didn't succeed and young Nowland had the ball high into the net for a real striker's goal.
Preston brought on Nogan for the injured Macken at the start of the second half, taking the game to Blackpool as the Seasiders sat back on their one-goal lead.
Blackpool looked comfortable at the back until a fine piece of individual skill by David Eyres dragged North End back into the match.
Eyres turned Marvin Bryan inside out with some neat footwork before crossing to the far post for Kurt Nogan to hammer in an equaliser, pictured, and Deepdale went mad.
Preston came at Blackpool looking for a winner and Basham played the ball across the Tangerines' goal but no-one could get the touch to turn the ball into the net.
Michael Appleton looked to have scored with a rasping drive from 20 yards but Tony Craig in the Blackpool goal kept it out.
With Preston pushing for the winner, there was always the danger that they would be caught at the back and so it proved to be in the final minutes.
Rogan got away down the leftand played a perfect cross to leave Lucas stranded and Brett Ormerod with a simple header into the net before turning cartwheels in celebration.
There was no time for Preston to recover and the final whistle brought scenes of delight from the Bloomfield Road supporters.
With a dismal return of just two points from the last 15, Preston's confidence has all but evaporated.
After the match neither David Moyes nor O'Hanlon attended the usual Press conference. They were locked in a team meeting, clearly unhappy at the way North End's chances have been blown away.
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