A stirring second-half from North End ensured they returned across the Pennines with a deserved point in a fiery match that ended 1-1.

Richard Chaplow was the saviour for the yellow-clad North End team with just under fifteen minutes to go, equalising with a simple tap-in.

Sheffield Wednesday deservedly went in front on 17 minutes with a first Hillsborough goal for Sean McAllister who hooked home to the delight of the home support.

North End will be happy with a point that maintains their unbeaten start to the campaign, although Youl Mawene had a chance in the dying moments to take all three points back to Deepdale.

Matt Hill returned to the North End line-up for the injured Callum Davidson but otherwise the team were the same as the eleven who beat Crystal Palace. Andy Lonergan completed his 50th consecutive appearance for the yellows who were also searching for their fourth successive win which would have been their best start for 75 years.

The Owls had a few injury problems coming into this match with Sodje and Jeffers, the two goal-scorers in the corresponding fixture last season, missing out.

The North End fans were in fine voice and travelled across the Pennines decked out in the yellow away shirt in an attempt to 'yellow out' Yorkshire.

Wednesday started brightly with Sean McAllister firing over from twelve yards following a clever knock down from Marcus Tudgay. Their new signing Tony McMahon also contributed to a lively start by launching some dangerous crosses into the area.

The home side threatened both flanks through the lively wing-play of Jermaine Johnson and Etienne Esajas. Billy Jones and Matty Hill had a difficult time trying to contain them as they switched flanks and put in crosses that were in the end dealt with well by the North End backline.

But North End will possibly want to look at the video to see if an early Simon Whaley effort should have stood. Whaley found himself through on goal and lobbed the onrushing Grant with a fantastic lob/shot. However the referee decided that the retreating Mellor was interfering with play and blew the whistle much to the surprise of both sets of players.

Sheffield Wednesday capitalised on their strong start by taking the lead just after fifteen minutes. Their right-back Tommy Spurr launched the ball into the box and it was punched clear by Lonergan but only far enough to Sean McAllister who fired home from 12 yards for a deserved lead. Lonergan's punch made it difficult for him to deal with the snapshot into his right corner.

North End had limited success in the first half and Neil Mellor will consider himself unlucky to have seen a neat reverse header not get the rewards it deserved. It was tipped over by the current Wednesday Players Player of the year Lee Grant but the corner wasn't given because he was adjudged to have been off-side.

The home side threatened to double their lead with a great chance for Marcus Tudgay, who really should have scored. James O'Connor played the ball wide to the former Wolves winger Jermaine Johnson who found Marcus Tudgay. He muscled his way past Matty Hill and burst into the penalty area only to shoot wide of Lonergan's left post.

A fiery couple of minutes was followed by a decent spell of play for North End. Matty Hill was booked for a body block on Johnson, a decision that pleased an irate home support who were unhappy with a full-blooded challenge from McKenna a moment earlier. McKenna then intercepted the giant centre-back Mark Beevers on the halfway line and set up Chaplow who released Mellor, but the Sheffield born striker shot wide.

The half ended with chances at both ends. Nicholson and Whaley linked up well on the right wing to win a corner for North End. This resulted in a St Ledger header going over for another corner that was headed clear. A corner for each team ended a good half for the Owls.

Wednesday started the second half much like they did the first. A Marcus Tudgay shot was deflected off Mawene for their second corner of the half. This provided Brian Laws's men with a glorious opportunity to extend their advantage. Marcus Tudgay leapt high above the North End defence to head towards the bottom left corner but Billy Jones was on the line to clear the ball with his thigh.

North End began to threaten more following Ross Wallace's introduction to the action on 56 minutes. His first touch was a corner that the Wednesday defence cleared to McKenna whose header back into the box looked to be bouncing in but the flag was raised for off-side.

Simon Whaley was replaced by Karl Hawley four minutes later and the good response from North End continued with more chances.

Richard Chaplow fed Sedgwick in on the edge of the area and the former Rotherham man shot low but it was deflected wide for a corner. The good play continued as the ball found its way to the other side of the field and Matt Hill's cross from near the corner flag went to the far post where the Wednesday defence hadn't picked up Billy Jones who snapped the ball in. Grant's save came out to Sedgwick whose shot was blocked out to Chaplow who fired it in only for a chest, or hand, to block its route to goal.

The home side responded with a lively exchange of play between Tudgay, O'Connor and Johnson. O'Connor, the former Burnley midfielder, then blasted over from twenty yards as they looked to add to their lead.

North End responded though and Richard Chaplow was inches away from equalising for North End. Sedgwick battled his way into the box and had a choice of Preston players to choose from. He played in the central midfielder who turned his man and took a moment before picking his spot with a glorious side-footed effort that the keeper had no chance of reaching. Unfortunately for the away support it went agonisingly wide.

North End were rewarded for their pressure on 77 minutes with a goal that justified the introduction of Ross Wallace. The Scottish winger found Sedgwick with a sumptuous cross-field pass to the same position as where the in-form right winger had created the previous chance. Once again the onrushing Chaplow was picked out and the former West Bromwich Albion midfielder made no mistake in tapping the ball home from six yards.

Preston were beginning to search for the winner with more purpose as the match ended and the whole bench were on their feet when Hawley was taken down when through on goal. Sedgwick bisected the defence with a lovely pass and the former Carlisle man looked to have been tackled illegally from behind. The referee waved play on with a decision that enraged the North End management team.

Sheffield Wednesday reminded North End on a number of occasions of their ability to cause problems and an Esajas free-kick with ten minutes to go was gathered well by Lonergan. The impressive Tudgay was replaced by Leon Clarke with three minutes remaining but North End will be ruing a late chance to seal all three points.

Neil Mellor burst through from the half way line to win a corner for the away side. Ross Wallace stepped up and delivered a long, looping ball for the unmarked Youl Mawene at the back post. The Frenchman though couldn't find the target with a header that dropped just over the far post.

The game ended with both sides pressing hard for a winner. Esajas had another free-kick that was cleared following a short goalmouth scramble. North End though will be happy with a hard-earned point that looked in doubt in the first-half.