IF anyone ever doubted Preston's promotion prospects then Saturday's tremendous performance against Gillingham will have set them thinking.

Every PNE player played with battling determination reminicent of the glory days, while David Lucas was outstanding between the posts, keeping wave after wave of Gillingham attacks at bay.

He deserved 10 out of 10 for his performance - he was magnificent. Even the Gills' fans applauded him as he left the field.

But this was a result produced from an all-round effort on the part of Preston. For much of the game they led, losing to a 90th minute shot which not even Lucas could stop.

Gillingham played the long ball, aimed at Carl Asaba and Bob Taylor, so it was clear from the start that North End would be in for a difficult afternoon.

Yet it took Preston only ten minutes to go in front.

A corner out on the left involved David Eyres and Andy Gray and when the ball was played into a crowded box Gillingham were in a panic.

Butters headed the ball clear into the path of Mark Rankine who didn't get a lot of pace into his shot. But the ball was touched on by skipper Sean Gregan wide of Vince Bartram and into the net.

The Preston travelling support went wild and there followed one of the most elaborate goal celebrations imaginable by the North End players.

Gillingham had the chance to equalise immediately as they won a free kick on the edge of the box. Only a heroic save by Lucas kept the visitors in front.

Barry Ashby lined up a shot at goal which produced another fine save from Lucas.

Play flowed frantically from box to box. Asaba got clear on the right to test Lucas again, but the Preston keeper saved in fine style and when Mark Patterson tried a 20-yard snap shot, Lucas stopped that as well.

Nogan wasn't far away with an angled shot and Rankine made a lovely run into the area but just couldn't get in a shot on goal.

Then, on the stroke of half-time, Gillingham struck again as Butters sent another long ball up towards the edge of the Preston box.

Asaba directed a neat header into the path of Southall and he closed in on goal.

He sent a shot towards the bottom corner of the net but guess who got in the way! Lucas produced a classic one-handed save to steer the ball clear.

Gillingham came at Preston looking for a second-half equaliser, and for long periods the North End defence was put under pressure.

However, it was Lucas again who prevented them for scoring a certain equaliser when Asaba's scorching header was stopped.

It was a save of real class, rekindling memories of that of Gordon Banks from Pele in the World Cup - even the disappointed home fans applauded.

On 90 minutes, however, Gillingham pulled level.

John Hodge, out on the left, sent in a cunning cross to the far post, which was headed on by Taylor into the net for a deserved equaliser.

Still, in the time remaining, Preston had a chance to win it as the ball was floated in to Jon Macken who sent a header high towards the roof of the net, but Bartram tipped the ball over the crossbar.

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