PRESTON did more than enough to snatch all three points from this clash of the table-toppers, but were forced to settle for a share of the spoils thanks to a terrible refereeing decision.

With North End leading 1-0 and looking set to accelerate into pole position, referee Pierce gave Gillingham a dubious free-kick and they grabbed the life-line with both hands.

Debutant Paul Sparrow - a loan capture from Crystal Palace - raised his foot to cut-out a cross in the 72nd minute, but the referee awarded a free-kick for dangerous play and the Gills netted.

PNE boss Gary Peters was fuming with the decision, but must have been impressed by the improvement shown by his promotion-chasers.

This was Preston's best showing for several weeks and credit must go to Peters for bringing in the influential loan duo of Sparrow and Paul Birch. They gave North End's right-flank an added dimension and look set to steady Preston's nerves in these crucial weeks.

Preston went ahead in the 49th minute thanks to Simon Davey. The Welsh Wizard chipped the ball over the advancing Jim Stannard to send the travelling PNE faithful into ecstasy.

Davey's eighth goal of the season was only the fifth time Stannard had been beaten at home this term. And what a vital strike it could prove to be.

Gillingham continued with the bombardment and their perseverence paid dividends in the 72nd minute when Mark Harris headed home from Dominic Naylor's free-kick.

A draw was always on the cards - Britain's top scorers visiting the home of the country's tightest defence, the final score of 1:1 was fair play enough.

What else would you expect?

Gary Peters was happy enough with his side's performance. He said: "Apart from that free-kick, I'm delighted with the way things went down there. Our shape was 10 times better than it has been. We were more compact as a team and the lads got their confidence back.

"We looked like promotion candidates, but there's still plenty of room for improvement."

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