Ross Wallace scored a stunning free-kick to rescue a point for Preston North End at Oakwell as the Lilywhites brought 2008 to a close with a draw against Barnsley.

The Scottish winger showed just why everyone connected with the Club would like to get him signed up on a permanent deal when he hit the equaliser on 73 minutes. It was a case of third time lucky for Wallace, who had two previous free-kicks go close.

North End's travelling army of more than 1500 fans had to endure a patient wait for their reward, they'd watched Alan Irvine's men make a bright start to the match but then go and concede a goal against the run of play to find themselves behind in the match. Jamie Cureton grabbing a 16th minute goal, to add the strike he registered against Burnley on Boxing Day.

Preston enjoyed much of the possession and territorial advantage in the match, but just couldn't turn their domination into clear cut chances and as the game drew to a close they repelled an aerial bombardment from the Tykes as the home side attempted to salvage a win for their their fervant home support.

Preston boss Alan Irvine chose to make three changes to the team which had defeated Barnsley on Boxing Day, staying true to his promise of freshening things up by introducing Barry Nicholson, Chris Brown and Stephen Elliott into the starting eleven.

Ross Wallace looked the liveliest player on the pitch in the opening stages but it was Barnsley's on loan performer, Jamie Cureton, who opened the scoring on 16 minutes. Against the run of play, the Tykes sent a hopeful ball into box and after a brief spell of head tennis between the two teams, Cureton proved to be PNE's nemesis once again when he hit a looping volley beyond Lonergan.

The Lilywhites were rocked on their heels a little but they played their way back into the match and Stephen Elliott had two decent chances midway through the first half. The first came when Youl Mawene sent a looping header over the top of the Barnsley defence and Elliott just failed to get his toe to the ball to divert it towards goal. But Elliott's and Preston's best chance of the first half came when Barry Nicholson found space on the right to deliver the perfect ball into the box, it was begging to be attacked and that's exactly what Elliott did, sending a header low towards the goal-line, Heinz Muller had to be at his best to block the ball away from danger.

Preston were applauded off at the break as the North End fans recognised their endevours. Alan Irvine said after the match that he had to remind his players of certain tactical aspects of the game and two minutes into the second half those words almost paid off. Billy Jones collected the ball 30-yards out and with time and space hit a 30-yard thunderbolt which looked destined for the back of the net. The reaction from the Preston fans behind the goal told you everything you needed to know about how close the chance was as it whistled past the post.

Nine minutes into the second half and the North End fans were given another agonising opportunity to get off their seats. Chaplow had been bundled over in full flow on the edge of the box and it was a perfect opportunity for Wallace to set his sights for what was to come later. This time Wallace would curl his effort low, past the wall and towards Muller's near post, the Scotsman's reaction signalled just how close it was.

As Preston surged forward in search of the equaliser, the inevitable gaps appeared in North End's defences and Barnsley tried their hardest to exploit the gaps. Macken outpaced Mawene in the left channel but the Frenchman made a timely challenge just as the former PNE hero looked set to pull the trigger. Then Lonergan had to be at his brilliant best as Brazilian midfielder Anderson Da Silva hit a fantastic effort from 30 yards, the PNE keeper tipped the shot onto the bar and was alive to the rebound to deny Cureton.

In the final analysis, it proved to be a crucial intervention. Seventeen minutes from the end, substitute Jon Parkin was bundled over on the edge of the box and it was time again for Wallace to get his shooting practice in. This one was dead central and that proved to be the vital difference, Wallace hit it perfectly over the wall and beyond the reach of Muller into the back of the net.

North End were energised by their leveller and this spurred them on to search for a winner. Neil Mellor being handed the best opportunity when he ghosted into the area but his volley was well within the reach of Muller's safe hands.

Barnsley's fans were in impatient and the Yorkshire club's players cast aside their passing play to go direct, launching ball after ball into the Preston box. Several Barnsley front men got up close and personal with PNE's defensive duo but they remained strong, as did referee Anthony Taylor in the face of repeated requests from the home fans for a penalty.

That defensive effort in the last ten minutes showed an extra steel to PNE's play, a gritty determination which will be crucial in the new year as Alan Irvine's men aim to maintain their promotion challenge.