Preston North End slipped to a 2-0 defeat away at Middlesbrough on Tuesday night despite a fine performance.
Darren Ferguson's side bossed much of the game at the Riverside Stadium, creating by far the better chances, but were unable to beat Brad Jones as goals from Chris Killen and Jonathan Franks proved the difference.
The home side took a 29th minute lead after Killen headed home Barry Robson's free kick at the far post. Then in the final minute, Jonathan Franks was first to pounce on Lonergan's save from Lita to make it 2-0 just as the Lilywhites were pshing for the equaliser.
North End will be left wondering how they didn't get on the scoresheet, having created so many chances and a strong penalty appeal turned down. Ross Wallace had the best chance, when his powerful 20 yard volley hit the post, then the goalkeeper before being cleared.
Middlesbrough came into the game against Preston on the back on three consecutive draws. Captained by Emanuel Pogatetz, Boro named a strong side which included Barry Robson and David Wheater as they tried to mount one last push for the play-offs.
PNE's new signing Elliott Ward sat on the bench as Darren Ferguson made just one change from the side that lost 3-2 at West Brom. Darren Carter came in for Chris Sedgwick in a new look midfield.
Sean St Ledger returned to The Riverside Stadium for the first time since his brief loan spell earlier in the season, starting alongside Chilvers in the North End defence. There were also places on the bench for youngsters Adam Barton and Jamie Proctor as the Lilywhites looked to overtake their Teeside opponents with a win.
It was a slow opening ten minutes to the match, with neither side really threatening until the 13th minute, when North End created by far the best early chance. It came via a Ross Wallace free kick from 30 yards, the winger hitting it beautifully towards the top left corner only for Brad Green to get a hand to it.
Boro responded with a chance of their own just two minutes later, when Miller swept wide Jonathan Franks' cut back from 18 yards.
The Lilywhites almost went one better from the next attack after some magic from the lively Ross Wallace on the right allowed Chaplow through on goal, but his shot from the right on the box could only find the side netting.
Darren Ferguson will have been pleased as his side really took control of the game around the 20 minute mark. Ross Wallace beat almost the entire Middlesbrough defence before having a penalty appeal turned down. Meanwhile Neil Mellor tested Brad Jones with a powerful long ranger.
The travelling North End support must have thought they'd taken the lead in the 26th minute when Darren Carter benefitted from Chaplow's good work on the edge of the box to launch a low left footed drive. It looked like it was about to nestle in the bottom corner, but Jones managed to get a hand to it.
Middlesbrough then struck a 29th minute hammer blow to Preston. Barry Robson drifted in a free kick from deep inside his own half which was met by a Chris Killen header that looped up over Lonergan and in off the post to make it 1-0 to Boro.
It was completely against the run of play, and Preston's frustration showed, as first Carter, then Wallace were booked for fouls shortly after the goal.
Credit to North End though, they kept the pressure on Gordon Strachan's side, and forced Stephen McManus to bring down Neil Mellor on the edge of the box in the 39th minute, who was booked for the challenge.
The more the game went on, the more the Lilywhites were wondering how they were behind. Ross Wallace was put through down the right by Chaplow as it approached half time, but Jones was equal to his left foot effort on this occasion, in what was the last chance of the half for either side.
Boro made a change at half time, with Kyle Naughton coming on to replace Joe Bennett as they looked to maintain their lead.
Five minutes into the second half it could have been 2-0 were it not for a brilliant Andy Lonergan save. St Ledger cleared well from the initial cross, but it fell to a red shirt on the edge of the box, Lonergan's reactions were equal to it though, as he saved with his feet.
In the 55th minute North End began to create openings again, as Brown latched onto a Darren Carter cut back six yards out, but with his back to goal was unable to do much with it and Jones saved.
Andrew Taylor then entered the field in place of Pogatetz, who had been tormented by Wallace all night. The Scotsman's brilliant performance continued then, when he hit a stunning 25 yard volley which struck the post then the keeper before being cleared.
Middlesbrough were to get no restbite as Billy Jones and Jon Parkin came on for Michael Hart and Chris Brown in the 62nd minute.
It was frustrating for PNE, who were by far and away the best team, but just couldn't make the breakthrough. Strachan seemed to sense the frustration and brought Leyroy Lita on for Lee Miller in their final change of the night on 71 minutes.
Lita then came close to doubling the lead for the home side in the 76th minute. His pace put him through, and were it not for a Matt James block it could have been a goal.
Mellor then went straight up the other end and unleashed a thunderous right foot volley from 20 yards. Brad Jones was equal to it though aand Preston were left wondering what they had to do to score.
Darren Carter then had a very strong penalty shout turned down by the referee. The midfielder had ran through from deep and looked about to poke it home before being brought down by a Middlesbrough defender.
Mellor may have had a better chance for a penalty shortly after, but managed to stay on his feet as Preston continued to press.
With North End pushing so hard for the equaliser, there was alway sthe danger of being caught on the counter, and goalscorer Chris Killen was the man who nearly capitalised in the 85th minute. His free header bounced up over Lonergan's goal, but it was a late warning for Preston.
Middlesbrough did have the last say in the 90th minute when Jonathan Franks doubled their lead. Leroy Lita had broken free on the right, but his shot was well saved by Lonergan. Ross Wallace was unable to get to the rebound though and Franks slotted home to seal the victory.
Neil Mellor received a booking in the closing moments as a brilliant Preston performance failed to yield any points.
