Preston North End managed to secure a hard earned 2-2 draw away at Lincoln OOH on Sunday but were incensed at full time after conceding a controversial last minute equaliser.
North End shocked the home side when they took an early two goal lead courtesy of goals from Laura Walker and Hannah Bailey
Jodie Michelska pulled a goal back midway through the second half but her dubious last minute goal meant the Lilywhites were denied what would have been an impressive away victory.
Chris Stammers was given a headache prior to kick off when Captain Sarah Berry was forced to withdraw from the starting line up. However, PNE took the game to the home side from the start creating numerous chances which resulted in Lincoln to concede an early corner.
The resulting in swinging corner from Laura Walker created panic within the Lincoln defence and saw the ball fly underneath both defence and goalkeeper to nestle into the back of the net and give PNE a 1-0 lead after only six minutes.
Further chances from Bailey, Linny Craig and Gemma Watson continued to put Lincoln on the back foot with Emma Reader producing a commanding first half display in goal for Preston.
In the 21st minute, Alison Taberner saw her powerful free kick well saved from Lincoln's goalkeeper but striker Bailey was alert and pounced to volley the ball in and leave the home side totally shell shocked.
Constant pressure from PNE resulted in the Lincoln management changing tactics by making a substitution on thirty minutes, but this had little impact on a new resurgent Preston side who almost put the game out of reach when Watson's chances on 36 & 39 minutes went agonisingly wide.
As expected, the second half saw Lincoln quick out of the blocks but the PNE defence were resolute in their tackles forcing the odd Lincoln chance to end in disappointment. Now the vocal home support was turning its attentions to the referee for their team's failings.
Preston continued to create good chances but were beginning to get pegged back as Lincoln searched for the all important next goal. On 66 minutes, the home side got their breakthrough following another long ball into the PNE box and the Lincoln striker Michelska managed to get her foot to the ball and past a helpless Reader.
Despite this setback, the visitors maintained their composure and desire and were unlucky on 72 minutes when Craig ghosted in from the left hand side and cut back before seeing her low shot well saved by the Lincoln keeper.
The game continued to be end to end and PNE manager Stammers brought on the first of his substitutes in McCrea & Sam Cadwallader to try and help his side leave with all three points.
But Lincoln striker Michelska scored a second goal in controversial circumstances to condemn North End to a draw and hand Lincoln a get out of jail card.
Seconds later the referee blew for full time and despite the creditable draw the PNE squad were totally dejected as they left the field of play and felt they had done more than enough to earn the three points they were so close to gaining.
Preston's next game is on Sunday where they travel to the North East to take on Newcastle United.
Report by Julie Jones
Photos by PNE Invincibles
